On June 12, President Trump signed the Executive Order “Empowering Commonsense Wildfire Prevention and Response,” a move that brings long-needed attention—and action—to the operational challenges facing the wildland fire community.
This order addresses many of the same themes NWSA has emphasized for years: smarter regulation, more flexible response capabilities, and year-round readiness. The order directs federal agencies to:
- Streamline permitting and environmental review processes that delay essential forest treatment and fuels reduction efforts.
- Enhance interagency coordination across federal, state, tribal, and local levels.
- Expand the use of proven prevention tools, such as mechanical thinning and prescribed fire.
- Establish performance-based suppression standards that better reflect the realities of modern fire seasons.
It also sets a Fall 2025 deadline for updating federal wildfire response regulations—a clear and timely opportunity for the private wildland fire service to help shape what comes next.
This is an important step, and NWSA will continue to work closely with the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture to ensure the new policies improve operational outcomes and recognize the vital role of private industry.
We’ll share additional updates and member-specific insights soon. For now, this Executive Order sends a powerful signal: the federal government is listening, and change is on the horizon.
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