Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act Gains Broad Support

Strategic Insights -

Congressman Doug LaMalfa has introduced a bipartisan bill, the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2025, to ensure that aerial fire retardant remains available for wildfire suppression efforts without being tied up in Clean Water Act permitting delays. The bill has garnered strong support from local leaders, who emphasize the importance of having every tool available for wildfire fighters to protect lives, communities, and forests from catastrophic wildfire.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bill clarifies that federal, state, local, and tribal firefighting agencies do not need a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to use fire retardant from aircraft when responding to wildfires.
  • The bill aims to prevent unnecessary litigation that could block the aerial use of fire retardants, which are one of the most effective tools to slow the spread of fast-moving fires.
  • The Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act has earned strong support from local leaders, including Travis Joseph, President/CEO, American Forest Resource Council, who argues that it will give wildland firefighters the tools they need to protect lives, communities, and forests from catastrophic wildfire.
  • The bill has also been endorsed by Matt Dias, President and CEO, Calforests, who believes that maintaining healthy forests supports the economy in Northern California and beyond and safeguards communities at risk from catastrophic wildfire.
  • Tod Kimmelshue, Chair Butte County Board of Supervisors, emphasizes the importance of giving firefighters the ability to use fire retardant to protect lives and communities.
  • Chris Edwards, President, Oregon Forest Industries Council, argues that the agencies responsible for keeping communities and forests safe during wildfire season must have every tool in the toolbelt available for use.
  • Doug Teeter, Butte County Supervisor, urges Congress to pass the bill to allow the Forest Service to continue deploying aerial fire retardants.
  • PAUL PETERSEN, Executive Director of the United Aerial Firefighters Association (UAFA), argues that fire retardant is a proven, essential tool in assisting wildland firefighters in their fight to contain, control, and defeat wildfire.
  • Bill Connelly, Rural County Representatives of California, Butte County Representative, states that aerial fire retardant is one of the most effective wildfire suppression tools in their firefighting arsenal.
  • Greg Bolin, Town of Paradise, California, emphasizes the personal importance of securing access to aerial fire retardants for wildfire suppression and prevention.

Statistics:

  • Wildfires are expanding rapidly into the Wildland-Urban Interface, where communities are at greater risk.
  • Aerial fire retardant has been proven to be an effective tool in slowing or stopping the spread of wildfire, saving lives, property, and landscapes.
  • The Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act aims to prevent unnecessary litigation that could block the aerial use of fire retardants.
  • The bill has gained strong support from local leaders, including representatives from the American Forest Resource Council, Calforests, Butte County Board of Supervisors, Oregon Forest Industries Council, and the United Aerial Firefighters Association (UAFA).

Sources:

  • Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale)
  • Travis Joseph, President/CEO, American Forest Resource Council
  • Matt Dias, President and CEO, Calforests
  • Tod Kimmelshue, Chair Butte County Board of Supervisors
  • Chris Edwards, President, Oregon Forest Industries Council
  • Doug Teeter, Butte County Supervisor
  • Paul Petersen, Executive Director of the United Aerial Firefighters Association (UAFA)
  • Bill Connelly, Rural County Representatives of California, Butte County Representative
  • Greg Bolin, Town of Paradise, California

Note: The sources listed are exactly as mentioned in the original text.