National Prescribed Fire Act of 2024

HR 8557, the National Prescribed Fire Act of 2024, establishes new funding mechanisms to increase controlled burns on Federal lands to reduce wildfire risk. The bill creates $300 million annual accounts for the Departments of Agriculture and Interior, requires a 10% annual increase in prescribed fire acreage on Federal lands, and reduces liability for certified fire managers (except in cases of gross negligence). It also establishes a Collaborative Prescribed Fire Program to fund partnerships with States, Tribes, and private landowners, and mandates landscape-scale fire planning to improve coordination across land ownerships. The bill directly affects Federal land managers, States, Tribes, and private landowners who conduct prescribed fires, with provisions aimed at expanding safe, controlled burning while addressing smoke impacts and building a skilled workforce.