The Department of the Interior has announced the next phase in creating the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, a move aimed at unifying wildland fire management programs within its various bureaus and offices. This initiative comes as wildfires continue to grow in size, intensity, and cost across the United States, affecting communities, infrastructure, tribal trust assets, agriculture, and local economies.
According to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, “Wildfire does not discriminate. It impacts rural towns and major cities, businesses and families alike. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the Department of the Interior is taking decisive steps to strengthen coordination and preparedness as we confront an escalating wildfire challenge.”
Currently, responsibilities for wildland fire management are spread across several entities within the department, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Office of Aviation Services, and the Office of Wildland Fire. These groups have collaborated over time but must coordinate their efforts through separate organizations.
The establishment of a unified U.S. Wildland Fire Service is intended to streamline decision-making processes and improve operational efficiency. The goal is to better protect lives, communities, critical infrastructure, as well as public and tribal lands by integrating fire management approaches.
Brian Fennessy has been selected to lead the creation of this new service. He brings extensive experience from his previous roles as Chief of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and Fire Chief of Orange County Fire Authority in California. Fennessy began his career with both the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
“Wildfire response depends on coordination, clarity and speed,” Chief Brian Fennessy said. “This initial planning effort is about bringing programs together, strengthening cooperation across the Department and building a framework that better supports firefighters and the communities they serve. I want to thank Secretary Burgum for this opportunity to serve in this role and look forward to working alongside of the brave men and women of the fire community.”
Modernizing wildfire response efforts is part of broader priorities set out by Executive Order 14308: Empowering Commonsense Wildfire Prevention and Response under President Trump’s administration. The new service aims to help Interior meet changing wildfire risks with more coordinated actions focused on protecting people and natural resources.
