Wildfire Cost Management

After the wildfires in California (again) last week, there is some renewed interest in Congress to find a more long term funding alternative for the persistent problem of wildfire cost overruns. This year the US Forest Service budged $1.2 billion for fires suppression and then had to transfer $400 million from other USFS program during the summer when funding fell short. Congress later approved $610 million in additional funding to restore the transfers.

House Natural Resources Chairman Nicky Jo Rahall's (D-WV) FLAME Act (Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act) is the most likely vehicle. This would establish separate funds for fire and the USFS other work. However others have begun to think more comprehensively about the problem and called for addressing hazardous fuel buildup and the management of fire instead of all out suppression.