Trump Signs Executive Order Aimed at Wildfire Management
On Thursday, President Donald Trump enacted an executive order intended to enhance wildfire prevention and management through better forest practices and inter-agency cooperation.
A key component of this order involves the clearing of brush, which Trump refers to as “shaking the forest.”
The order begins with a statement of purpose:
Section 1. Purpose. The catastrophic wildfires that hit Los Angeles in January 2025 served as a wake-up call, illustrating the severe ramifications of slow governmental responses to disasters. In many instances, especially in California, the sluggishness and inadequacy in addressing wildfires stem from poor planning and mismanagement. Wildfires pose threats across all regions, yet many local agencies choose to overlook sensible preventive measures. Firefighters nationwide are left relying on outdated tools thanks to excessive regulations and bureaucratic obstacles, which hinder their ability to respond swiftly to wildfires. The federal government has a role in empowering local and state authorities by enhancing wildfire response capabilities and promoting better land management strategies.
Section 2. Streamlining federal wildfire governance. Within 90 days of this order, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture are tasked with recommending ways to integrate wildfire programs effectively, ensuring that wildfire stations are utilized efficiently. This includes coordinating various bodies, budgets, and procurement processes.
Section 3. Encouraging local wildfire preparedness and response. (a) Within 90 days of this order, the Secretaries of Home Affairs and Agriculture will work with the Homeland Security Secretary to expand partnerships aimed at improving land management and reducing wildfire risks.
- (i) They will focus on enhancing the ability of federal, state, local, tribal, and community-led initiatives to prepare for and respond to wildfires.
- (ii) Initiatives will also be developed to promote responsible management and preventive measures at local levels.
(b) Within 180 days, further consultations with the Secretary of Commerce and executive agency heads will occur to:
- (i) Create a comprehensive technology roadmap for improving firefighting capabilities, including innovations like AI and advanced data sharing.
- (ii) Formulate policies that advocate for risk-informed approaches while diminishing barriers to effective wildfire prevention and response.
Section 4. Enhanced wildfire mitigation. Within 90 days, actions will include:
- (a) The Environmental Protection Agency evaluating regulations that may limit the use of fire prevention techniques.
- (b) Consultations between the Secretary of Agriculture and EPA to discuss necessary uses of firefighting resources for better wildfire management.
- (c) Promoting innovative use of biomass and forest products to lower fuel loads in fire-prone areas.
- (d) A review of regulatory practices by several agencies, aiming to establish best practices for curbing wildfire risks from utility systems, without raising energy costs.
- (e) The Attorney General will consult with the Agriculture and Interior Secretaries regarding legal matters connected to utility companies in the context of wildfire prevention.
Section 5. Modernizing wildfire prevention and response. (a) Within 120 days, the Secretary of Defense will work alongside key agencies to assess and publish historic satellite data to improve field prediction and evaluation models.
- (b) Within 180 days, consultations will happen to identify regulations that hinder wildfire response and consider revisions for improved alignment with laws. Enhanced metrics for evaluating response effectiveness will also be developed.
- (c) By 210 days, the Secretary of Defense will work on prioritizing the sale of surplus aircraft to assist wildfire efforts.
During a visit to the burn zone in Los Angeles just days after the executive order was signed, Trump underlined the importance of both effective water and forest management.
