Overview

• Freshman Senators Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) introduced the Wildfire Response and Preparedness Act to establish a 30-minute national response time for wildfires on federal lands.
• The proposed standard would apply to lands managed by the Interior and Agriculture Departments, aiming to prevent wildfires from escalating into major disasters.
• The bill is inspired by the National Fire Protection Association's 5.5-minute standard for structural fires, which has significantly reduced civilian deaths.
• Supporters emphasize the urgency of addressing worsening wildfires linked to climate change, with recent fires devastating areas in California, Texas, South Carolina, and Georgia.
• Senator Sheehy, a former aerial firefighter, has co-authored 10 bipartisan wildfire-related bills since taking office, including efforts to create a National Wildland Firefighting Service.