FLAME Act - Emergency Wildfire Suppression
On March 26, the House passed the Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement (FLAME) Act, H.R. 1404. The bill creates a federal FLAME fund for catastrophic, emergency wildland fire suppression activities to be used when annually appropriated funds run out.
Specifically, this legislation:
Establishes a FLAME fund for emergency wildfire suppression. The bill creates a federal FLAME (Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement) fund for catastrophic, emergency wildland fire suppression activities to be used when annually appropriated funds run out. The fund would be separate from funds appropriated annually for predicted wildfire suppression activities.
Provides that FLAME funds can only be used when an emergency is declared. Under the bill, in order to access the FLAME fund, the Department of Agriculture or Interior would have to issue a wildfire emergency declaration. Such declarations could be made if a wildfire covers at least 300 acres, the department determines that the threat posed by the fire warrants an emergency declaration, and wildfire suppression costs are expected to exceed the annually appropriated funds for predicted wildfire suppression.
Requires the development of a cohesive wildland fire management strategy. The bill also requires the Departments of Agriculture and Interior to submit a report to Congress one year after the bill’s enactment containing a cohesive wildland fire management strategy. The bill requires the report to include a system identifying the most cost-effective means for allocating fire management resources, a system for assessing the level of risk to communities from wildfires, an illustration of plans by the departments to re-invest in non-fire programs, and a system ensuring that the highest priority fuels reduction projects (which can prevent catastrophic wildfires) are being funded first.
Establishes a wildfire grant program. In addition, the bill establishes a grant program within each department designed to assist communities in preparing for wildfires. Grants could be used for purchasing firefighting equipment, and training programs for local firefighters. Grants could also be used for education and public awareness regarding wildfires, and development and implementation of community wildfire protection plans.