Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act of 2024

The Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act of 2024 establishes a pilot program for the U.S. Forest Service to use historical forest density benchmarks as a guide for reducing wildfire risks in national forests west of the 100th meridian. The program requires selecting at least 8 forest areas (including 3 in the Southwest) that are in the wildland-urban interface, watersheds, or vulnerable to erosion, working with state and local agencies to set these historical density targets. The Forest Service will then implement treatments like mechanical fuel reduction and forest restoration in these areas to lower wildfire risk, improve forest health, and increase ecological diversity. The program must begin within two years of enactment, using existing funds for fuels reduction without new appropriations.