Senate Introduction of Fix Our Forests Act Offers Path to Address Wildfire Risks to Forests, Communities

WASHINGTON (April 11, 2025) – Today, a bipartisan group of senators introduced the Fix Our Forests Act, which provides direction for improving management of our forestlands to reduce wildfire risk, which in turn supports vital habitat for birds and local communities. Introduced by Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-CO), John Curtis (R-UT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Tim Sheehy (R-MT), the legislation is based on the Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471), spearheaded by Reps. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Scott Peters (D-CA) and which passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support in January 2025.

"Wildfires grow more intense and destructive each year, leaving behind immense devastation for our forests, wildlife, and communities," said Marshall Johnson, chief conservation officer at the National Audubon Society. "The bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act represents an important step in reducing wildfire risks across forested landscapes. Audubon thanks Senators Hickenlooper, Curtis, Padilla, and Sheehy for working together to craft a bill that sets the stage for improved forest management, and we urge Congress to dedicate the resources necessary to ensure federal agencies are well-equipped to reduce wildfire risks, steward our forestlands, and protect wildlife habitat.”

In 2024, wildfires in the United States caused more than $250 billion in property damage, economic losses, and recovery and suppression costs. This number is only expected to grow if action isn’t taken and resources aren’t dedicated to better protect the nation’s forests and grasslands, and in turn local communities, economies and the natural resources that wildlife and people depend on.

“As the Senate moves forward with an amended Fix Our Forests Act, Audubon stands ready to work in partnership with the House sponsors on getting this legislation signed into law with allocated resources to federal agencies to carry out this vitally important work,” Johnson added. 

About Audubon:

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.