Wildfires are a challenge affecting more and more communities across the United States each year. That is why Partners in Wildfire Prevention is advocating for a coordinated, national response to wildfires focused on prevention and preparedness. We represent member organizations across industries and regions, including the public safety, labor, and business sectors, along with wildfire preparedness and community interest groups.
Partners in Wildfire Prevention Week of 05/07/2025
Business, Labor, and Community Groups Launch Partners in Wildfire Prevention FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 7, 2025 CONTACT Chet Wade or Gwen Fuller media@preventwildfires.org 404-538-4220 Newly Formed Organization [...]
Why Partners in Wildfire Prevention Was Created
- Wildfires are a growing challenge for communities across the country. In 2024, wildfires impacted 8.8 million acres across the U.S.
- Hotter and drier weather conditions are putting more communities at a higher risk for wildfires than ever before.
- Now more than ever, a comprehensive national wildfire response that focuses on prevention and rapid recovery is needed.
- While many states are taking action to pass legislation to better prepare for and prevent wildfires, federal action is still urgently needed.
- Investing in and coordinating a robust national wildfire response ensures that all states can access the necessary resources to fight wildfires and help victims recover quickly.
- More than 70,000 communities and 46 million homes are located in the wildland-urban interface — the high-risk zone where urban development meets undeveloped wildland. · The U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee found that wildfires cost the United States between $394 to $893 billion each year in economic costs and damages.
- May is Wildfire Prevention Month, a critical moment to bring greater awareness to the issue and to call for a national, prevention-first approach to wildfires.
- We launched this coalition to highlight those efforts as a unified voice across industries.
- Our members represent industries that play important roles in wildfire prevention and preparedness.
Why Partners in Wildfire Prevention is Launching Now
Why We Joined Partners in Wildfire Prevention
- With wildfires becoming a growing problem for our communities, we wanted to join an organization that was working toward a solution that helped Americans in all areas of the country.
- Partners in Wildfire Prevention is made up of members across industries, including the public safety, labor, and business sectors, along with wildfire preparedness and community interest groups who are all focused on a prevention-first approach to wildfires.
- Fellow coalition members, including those from the electric power industry, play a vital role in preparing for and preventing wildfires.
- Community Protection: More U.S. counties are now at a higher risk for wildfires than ever before. A national solution is needed to safeguard American communities across all regions from the impacts of wildfires.
- A federal wildfire response should increase federal funding opportunities to support state and local wildfire prevention activities and protect communities across the nation.
- Passing bipartisan legislation, like the Fix Our Forests Act, would ensure that state and federal agencies support sensible actions like tree-trimming and maintenance that help prevent fires from starting in the first place. We commend the House of Representatives for passing the Fix Our Forests Act and urge the Senate to follow the House’s lead.
- Wildfire Prevention: Businesses, communities, legislators, and regulators all play an important role in wildfire prevention. A prevention-first approach creates a safer, more resilient America.
- Reforming the process to make it easier to do preventative work on federal lands is a critical step in wildfire preparedness.
- Key stakeholders like energy companies, public power utilities, and electric cooperatives need timely authorizations to engage in necessary maintenance, vegetation management, and other risk mitigation activities related to equipment located in rights-of-way on federal lands to reduce wildfire risk and support overall grid reliability.
- Responsible Investment: Public and private investment in wildfire prevention tools and technology is needed to prepare for wildfires and to protect communities against the devastation wildfires bring.
- Responsible investment in wildfire prevention technologies should be a shared responsibility for public and private sectors.
- Congress should pass legislation that increases funding for modeling and other technology to inform wildfire data insights.
- Rapid Recovery: Recovery must be a shared priority. A comprehensive, national wildfire solution should ensure that those impacted by wildfires get the resources they need without delay and should create a faster, more predictable claims process.
- Amending FEMA’s authority under the Stafford Act can help ensure that victims of wildfires receive adequate recovery resources.
- An uptick in wildfires across the country can lead to instability for insurers and the energy companies that play a vital role in response and recovery.
- Common sense legislation can help stabilize insurance markets and ensure that energy companies are well-positioned to continue supporting national security and economic prosperity.
Creating a Prevention-First, National Response to Wildfires
You can follow updates on our efforts by visit the website to learn more about the coalition’s mission and how to get involved: https://preventwildfires.org
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