WASHINGTON, D.C., June 26, 2025 — Chet Wade, communications director for Partners in Wildfire Prevention, released the following statement ahead of today’s House Natural Resources Committee Federal Lands Subcommittee hearing titled “Fix Our Forests: Advancing Innovative Technologies to Improve Forest Management and Prevent Wildfires”:
“Americans now experience peak wildfire season earlier and longer than in previous years. July will be a critical time for the growing number of communities across the country who are at risk of experiencing dangerous wildfires.
“Today, it is more important than ever to have a coordinated, national response to wildfires, and the Fix Our Forests Act is a crucial component. We hope today’s House Natural Resources Committee hearing on innovative wildfire technology and the Fix Our Forests Act offers valuable insight into the merits of this bipartisan bill.
“We also urge the Senate to schedule a committee markup for the Fix Our Forests Act and get this critical bill one step closer to President Donald Trump’s desk. This legislation will help improve federal land management guidelines so we can help prevent fires from starting in the first place while also facilitating greater communication between federal and regional wildfire prevention programs.”
The United States has reached a record high number of wildfires recorded for the first half of the year. In just the first six months of 2025, there have been more than 33,000 wildfires across the country, which is more than double the number of fires recorded during the first six months of 2024.
About Partners in Wildfire Prevention
Partners in Wildfire Prevention is a coalition committed to reducing the adverse effects of wildfires through prevention and preparedness. We believe we need a comprehensive national strategy that emphasizes community protection, wildfire prevention, responsible investment, and rapid recovery to effectively reduce the risk of wildfires. Our growing membership includes organizations from the public safety, labor, and business sectors, along with wildfire preparedness and community interest groups. For more information, visit preventwildfires.org.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Chet Wade or Gwen Fuller
media@preventwildfires.org, 404-538-4220
