📋 Tender Overview
WASHINGTON D.C. – Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) today led her colleagues in introducing the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2025 aimed at safeguarding firefighters communities and property in Wyoming and across the west from the destructive impacts of wildfires.
Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) Mike Crapo (R-ID) Jim Risch (R-ID) Steve Daines (R-MT) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) are original co-sponsors. Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) also introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.
“In Wyoming and across the west we understand all too well the devastating toll wildfires take on our communities” said Lummis. “Without timely access to fire retardant lives and homes are at risk. In an emergency we cannot afford to let bureaucracy slow down our response and this legislation ensures firefighters have the tools they need to protect lives property and public lands.”
“Our brave firefighters are on the frontlines fighting to protect communities in Wyoming and across the West. They can’t afford to wait for access to life saving resources including fire retardant” said Barrasso. “This legislation will ensure our firefighters have timely access to the tools they need to save lives and protect property.”
“This year has already been one of the worst for wildfire on record and as the bulk of fire season approaches we cannot allow radical environmentalists to stand in the way of keeping our communities safe” said Sheehy. “Ensuring our brave wildland firefighters have access to critical tools like fire retardant to combat the threat of catastrophic wildfire is the epitome of common sense and I’m proud to join my colleagues on this important legislation.”
“Montanans have been dealing with the devastating impacts of wildfires for years and we need to be doing all we can to mitigate their spread” said Daines. “By reducing bureaucratic restrictions on the use of fire retardant our firefighters will be better able to protect our communities and forests.”
“Fire retardant is one of the most effective tools we have to stop wildfires from turning into disasters—especially in the West” said LaMalfa. “Trying to ban its use during fire season isn’t just ridiculous it’s dangerous. These extremist environmental groups are more worried about trace amounts of retardant than the real damage caused by out-of-control fires. Entire forests homes wildlife and human lives are at stake. The smoke alone from one major wildfire can choke the air for hundreds of miles. We should be focused on stopping fires early not tying firefighters’ hands with red tape.”
“The Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act gives wildland firefighters the tools they need to protect lives communities and forests from catastrophic wildfire” said Travis Joseph President and CEO of American Forest Resource Council. “It will prevent unnecessary litigation that could block the aerial use of fire retardants—one of the most effective tools we have to slow the spread of fast-moving fires. This commonsense bill paired with proactive science-based forest management is essential to confronting our nation’s growing wildfire and smoke crisis. With another dangerous fire season approaching Congress must act swiftly to pass the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act. We cannot afford to let our forests burn while proven suppression and management tools are tied up in red tape.”
“UAFA is deeply troubled by efforts to restrict the use of aerially applied fire retardant through legal challenges” said Paul Petersen Executive Director of the United Aerial Firefighters Association (UAFA). “At a time when wildfires are expanding rapidly into the Wildland-Urban Interface where communities are at greater risk fire retardant is a proven essential tool in assisting wildland firefighters in their fight to contain control and defeat wildfire. The tools that slow or stop the spread of wildfire are critical to protecting lives and property. As this lawsuit threatens to continue into its third year UAFA strongly supports Congressman LaMalfa’s legislation the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2025 which allows the federal states and tribal governments to continue the use of aerially applied fire retardants.”
“Maintaining healthy forests supports the economy in Northern California and beyond and safeguards communities at risk from catastrophic wildfire but prevention is not enough” said Matt Dias President and CEO Calforests. “Fire retardants have played an integral role in stopping some of the most devastating wildfires in recent history and the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act will ensure our wildland firefighters continue to have access to this critical firefighting tool. I urge Congress to pass the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act to safeguard aerial fire retardants which is ultimately a decision to prioritize lives land businesses and forested environments.”
“Butte County knows first-hand the destruction that wildfire can bring to our communities. It’s essential that fire fighters have the ability to use fire retardant to protect lives and communities” said Tod Kimmelshue Chair Butte County Board of Supervisors.
“Oregon is home to some of the most productive forests in the world but the severe wildfire seasons in recent years have made it clear that many of these landscapes are increasingly vulnerable and at risk” said Chris Edwards President Oregon Forest Industries Council. “In order to maintain this treasured resource for recreation for key species habitat and for the production of renewable building materials the agencies that are responsible for keeping our communities and forests safe during wildfire season must have every tool in the toolbelt available for use. The Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act is a perfect example of commonsense legislation that will facilitate the timely and effective use of one of
