New wildfire prevention bill introduced, focused on prescribed burns

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A wildfire prevention bill focused on prescribed burning was introduced to the Senate on Thursday.

U.S. Senators, Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash introduced the bill.

“The National Prescribed Fire Act of 2020,” would support pre-fire season-controlled burns as an essential and science-based strategy for reducing some of the hazardous fuels.

It would also give states more flexibility to regulate controlled burns in winter months so it would reduce the risk of summer wildfires.

The National Prescribed Fire Act of 2020 would establish $300 million accounts for both the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior (DOI) to plan, prepare, and conduct controlled burns on federal, state, and private lands.

The Forest Service and DOI would be required to increase the number of acres treated with prescribed burns. A workforce development program to develop, train, and hire prescribed fire practitioners, and employment programs for Tribes, veterans, women, and those formerly incarcerated would be established.

https://www.actionnewsnow.com/content/news/New-wildfire-prevention-bill-focuses-on-prescribed-burning-572446981.html