U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced legislation to dramatically reduce destructive wildfire risk and improve forest health. 'The Wildfire Prevention Act will reduce the risk of wildfires for our communities while restoring the health of public lands in Wyoming and across the west,' said Barrasso.
Introduce legislation to reduce destructive wildfire risk and improve forest health on public lands.
Occurrences
Evidence
On January 16, 2025, Senator John Barrasso introduced the Wildfire Prevention Act, aiming to reduce destructive wildfire risk and improve forest health on public lands. The bill directs the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to utilize existing resources to increase wildfire mitigation projects and remove red tape hindering forest management.
On December 2, 2025, Wyoming State Forester Kelly Norris testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining in support of Senator Barrasso's Wildfire Prevention Act. Norris highlighted the unique challenges Wyoming faces in preventing and fighting wildfires and emphasized the bill's potential to provide necessary tools for better forest management.
The text of S. 140, the Wildfire Prevention Act of 2025, introduced by Senator Barrasso, outlines measures to address the forest health crisis on the National Forest System and public lands. The bill includes provisions for accelerating treatments on federal land and setting annual goals for mechanical thinning and prescribed fire.
Assessments
Senator Barrasso introduced the Wildfire Prevention Act and engaged in legislative activity to advance it, fulfilling the campaign promise to introduce legislation aimed at reducing wildfire risk and improving forest health. There is evidence of serious effort and legislative action in the same term. However, there is no evidence indicating the legislation was enacted into law, so the promise is not fully delivered.