Lee M. Zeldin, the 17th EPA Administrator | official facebook
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new policy guidance aimed at reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires by promoting the use of prescribed fires. This initiative aligns with President Trump's Executive Order on "Empowering Commonsense Wildfire Prevention and Response." The guidance instructs EPA's regional offices to collaborate with local, state, Tribal, and federal partners to eliminate barriers in State Implementation Plans (SIPs) that hinder the strategic use of prescribed fires.
Historically, some states have included air quality provisions in SIPs that restrict prescribed fires, which are crucial for mitigating wildfire impacts on communities and businesses. EPA Administrator Zeldin emphasized the importance of these measures: "Prescribed burns, along with other critical forms of forest management, can mean the difference between life and death in the event of a wildfire."
Under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and EPA’s Exceptional Events Rule, air quality data from prescribed fires may be excluded when assessing compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Consequently, the Trump administration argues that SIPs should not include air quality regulations that limit prescribed fires.
The memorandum directs EPA’s ten regional offices to work with various partners to ensure SIPs do not restrict these strategic fire uses. Additionally, regional offices will promote recordkeeping and smoke management practices related to prescribed fire activities.
EPA remains committed to its mission of protecting human health and the environment. The agency will continue using tools like the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map, developed with the U.S. Forest Service, to provide public information on wildfire smoke and air quality.
Administrator Zeldin announced this policy shift as part of revisiting previous rulemaking under the Obama-Biden Administration. The EPA plans to complete this rulemaking process by 2026 while supporting President Trump's broader energy initiatives.
For more details on this policy change, visit EPA's official site.
Information from this article can be found here.
