Wildfire Risk Reduction EO (E.O. 13855)

Summary

Directs federal agencies to increase actions like thinning forests and clearing brush on public lands to help prevent catastrophic wildfires.

What problem does this solve?

Overgrown federal forests and rangelands have created a high risk of dangerous wildfires that threaten people and homes. This order requires more active management of these lands to clear out dense vegetation, making them healthier and safer.

What does this order do?

Sets specific land management goals

Requires the Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture to treat millions of acres of land and prepare billions of board feet of timber for sale to reduce wildfire fuel.

Speeds up regulatory processes

Directs agencies to streamline rules and use legal exceptions to speed up approval for forest management projects, including shortening review times for the Endangered Species Act.

Creates a national wildfire strategy

Orders the development of a strategy by December 31, 2020, to identify high-risk areas and guide local decisions on preventing and managing wildfires.

Promotes use of drones

Encourages the use of unmanned aerial systems (drones) to help manage forests, fight fires, and assist in recovery efforts after a fire.

Expands partnerships

Calls for more collaboration with states, tribes, and private companies through long-term contracts to help manage federal lands and reduce wildfire risks.

Who does this affect?

Federal land management agencies
Communities near federal lands
Timber and logging industry

What is the real world impact?

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Reduces wildfire risk to communities

Protects people and property by actively managing overgrown forests and rangelands that fuel catastrophic wildfires, making nearby communities safer.

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Boosts rural economies

Supports the timber industry and local economies by setting goals for timber sales and encouraging the use of by-products from forest clearing.

When does this start?

This order takes effect immediately on December 21, 2018, and sets several deadlines for federal agencies to complete specific tasks.

Salvage and log recovery plan

By March 31, 2019, the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture must identify options for recovering logs from lands damaged by fires, insects, or disease in 2017 and 2018.

National wildfire strategy

By December 31, 2020, the Secretaries must jointly develop a strategy to help local managers make decisions to protect communities and reduce wildfire risks.