Policy & Funding
This project began as an exploration of the various political and jurisdictional mechanisms used to address issues related to catastrophic fire events. After speaking with representatives at the Department of Interior and US Forest Service, it was decided that an economic approach ought to be taken when exploring the methods by which significant fires are prevented.
In order to address the concerns related to wildland fire and the wildland urban interface (WUI), an understanding of how federal agencies and programs relate to state and local jurisdictions was determined. In the instance of fire, the ignition source and location determine jurisdiction. Like most federal agencies, budgets and programs are appropriated by Congress and subject to politics.
About the US Forest Service
A department of the USDA, the USFS is charged with the management and protection of federal forest systems and national parks.
Funding Methods and Trends
Spending trends 2018-2023
$1.5 billion: 2023 Wildland Fire Management Budget (requested)
$1.53 billion: 2022 Wildland Fire Management Budget (appropriated)
$993 million: 2021 Wildland Fire Management Budget (appropriated)
$952 million: 2020 Wildland Fire Management Budget (appropriated)
$941 million: 2019 Wildland Fire Management Budget (appropriated)
$948 million: 2018 Wildland Fire Management Budget (appropriated)
Trends in Wildland Fire Quantity
The data suggests that the annual wildfire count appears to be declining. This may be attributed to larger fires consuming a greater area, thereby reducing the hazardous fuel load levels in the short term.
Trends in Acres Consumed
Though the regression line has a low fit, it can be observed that the general trend shows an increasing area of acres consumed by wildland fires. A great deal of the increase can be attributed to major fires out West over the last decade. This suggests that fire policies adopted by Western states require adjustment to account for new environmental conditions
Trends in USFS Suppression Spending
Suppression spending has increased exponentially over the last 15 years. Though the fit of the regression line suggests a moderate trend, the fitness exceeds that of a linear model. Such a trend is consistent with an increase in acres consumed and greater impacts to the WUI.