Protecting Natural Resources

The wildland fire problems facing the nation continue to grow. From 2000 through 2007, the average numbers of acres burned by such fires was 70 percent greater than the average number burned annually in the 1990s. Appropriations for the federal government’s wildland fire management activities tripled from about $1 billion in fiscal year 1999 to nearly $3 billion in fiscal year 2005. Our work has shown the following:

• Despite concurrence with our recommendations, USDA’s Forest Service, working with the Department of the Interior, has yet to complete a cohesive national strategy that identifies long-term options and associated funding needs for responding to wildland fire issues.

  Highlights of GAO-08-433T (PDF), Highlights of GAO-05-147 (PDF), Full Report of GAO/RCED-99-65 (PDF, 60 pages)

• The Forest Service could take several steps to better ensure that fuel (brush, small trees, and other vegetation) reduction funds are allocated to effectively reduce risk. Specifically, when allocating funds and selecting projects, the Forest Service could improve its processes by consistently assessing all elements of wildland fire risk and developing and using measures of the effectiveness for fuel reduction treatments.

  Highlights of GAO-08-433T (PDF), Highlights of GAO 07-1168 (PDF)

• Forest pests have caused substantial damage in the past and continue to pose a serious threat to the nation’s environment and economy. USDA is the lead agency for responding to forest pests and conducts a range of forest health monitoring programs.

  Highlights of GAO-06-353 (PDF)

• These forest health programs do not provide for comprehensive monitoring in urban forests or other locations considered high risk from pest invasions. It is likely that without broader early detection systems, future infestations will be costly and difficult to eradicate.

  Highlights of GAO-06-353 (PDF)

^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done

In reports dating back to 1999, we have recommended that the Forest Service, along with Interior agencies, develop a cohesive strategy that identifies options and associated funding to reduce fuels (brush, small trees, and other vegetation) and address wildland fire problems, as well as develop a tactical plan that lays out the steps and time frames needed to develop such a strategy.

Highlights of GAO-08-433T (PDF), Highlights of GAO 07-1168 (PDF), Highlights of GAO-05-147 (PDF), Full Report of GAO/RCED-99-65 (PDF, 60 pages)

The Forest Service and Interior agencies need to improve their processes for allocating funds to reduce potentially hazardous vegetation that could fuel wildland fires by

• systematically assessing risk as part of their allocation process,
• incorporating measures of the effectiveness of fuel (brush, small trees, and other vegetation) reduction treatments,
• using a more systematic allocation approach, and
• establishing a hierarchy of factors to be considered when allocating funds.

  Highlights of GAO 07-1168 (PDF)

In addition, USDA should

• expand current efforts to monitor forest health conditions, particularly in urban and suburban areas that are at high risk of receiving invasive insects and diseases, and
• incorporate guidance on early detection issued by the National Invasive Species Council in 2003 into USDA's monitoring program.

  Highlights of GAO-06-353 (PDF)

^ Back to topKey Reports

Western National Forests: A Cohesive Strategy is Needed to Address Catastrophic Wildfire Threats

RCED-99-65, April 2, 1999

Summary (HTML)   Full Report (PDF, 60 pages)  

Invasive Forest Pests: Lessons Learned from Three Recent Infestations May Aid in Managing Future Efforts

GAO-06-353, April 21, 2006

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 118 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Wildland Fire Management: Federal Agencies Lack Key Long- and Short-Term Management Strategies for Using Program Funds Effectively

GAO-08-433T, February 12, 2008

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 14 pages)   Accessible Text

Wildland Fire Management: Important Progress Has Been Made, but Challenges Remain to Completing a Cohesive Strategy

GAO-05-147, January 14, 2005

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 32 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Wildland Fire Management: Better Information and a Systematic Process Could Improve Agencies' Approach to Allocating Fuel Reduction Funds and Selecting Projects

GAO-07-1168, September 28, 2007

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 103 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

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