What Trump’s 2025 wildfire executive order means for firefighters, states and federal agencies

Trump’s wildfire order promised action – but critics say it’s already backfiring

A sweeping executive order issued by President Trump in June 2025 aims to overhaul the United States’ wildfire prevention and response strategy through governance reform, state collaboration, technology integration and deregulation.

The order, titled Empowering Commonsense Wildfire Prevention and Response, directs multiple federal agencies to restructure operations and streamline local support mechanisms.

The move has drawn a broad range of reactions.

Firefighter organisations have largely welcomed the focus on preparedness and funding.

Industry leaders have expressed readiness to support implementation.

State leaders such as California Governor Gavin Newsom, however, have criticised the order as contradictory to simultaneous federal staffing cuts.

Independent reporting has also raised concerns about the long-term impact of these cuts on national firefighting capacity.

This article outlines the content of the Executive Order and presents reactions from the White House, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Bridger Aerospace, the State of California, and investigative reporting from Truthout.

The White House outlines new national wildfire strategy

Executive Order aims to consolidate and streamline

The Executive Order issued by President Trump in June 2025 seeks to restructure the federal government’s approach to wildfire management.

It instructs the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture to consolidate wildland fire programmes to enhance coordination and reduce administrative duplication.

A 90-day deadline was set for the departments to recommend further consolidation measures.

Local-level prevention and preparedness prioritised

The order also calls for the expansion of partnerships with local, state, tribal and community groups to encourage proactive land management and coordinated wildfire response.

Federal agencies are tasked with incentivising preventative actions through policy and financial measures.

A technology roadmap is to be developed, outlining innovations such as artificial intelligence, predictive mapping, and ignition detection systems.

Regulatory reform and new performance metrics proposed

Environmental rules that restrict the use of prescribed burns or fire retardants are to be reviewed.

The Department of Defense is directed to consider the sale of excess aircraft to support aerial firefighting, while the Department of Justice will evaluate litigation involving utility companies to ensure alignment with national wildfire prevention goals.

New performance metrics are to be established to assess the effectiveness of wildfire response and mitigation activities.

International Association of Fire Fighters welcomes focus on firefighter safety

IAFF General President supports improved coordination

IAFF General President Edward Kelly praised the Executive Order for recognising the increasing danger of wildfires and the critical role of firefighters.

He said: “We must ensure fire fighters have the resources, training, and coordination needed to safely combat wildfires and protect their communities.”

Executive Order seen as policy shift

The IAFF highlighted the Order’s intent to modernise the federal response by merging the wildland fire programmes of key agencies and strengthening local partnerships.

The Order also acknowledges the limitations caused by outdated equipment and bureaucracy, which the IAFF has consistently raised in recent years.

Training and support remain priorities

Kelly said the IAFF would work with federal partners to ensure implementation focuses on firefighter health and safety.

He added: “Today’s executive order is a major step forward in our shared mission to reduce wildfire threats across the country and keep our communities safe.”

Bridger Aerospace supports increased national investment

Industry voices readiness to support reforms

Bridger Aerospace, one of the country’s largest aerial firefighting firms, welcomed the Executive Order and expressed support for its goals.

CEO Sam Davis said the company “stands ready to support our federal and state customers” in implementing the new measures.

Alignment with Forest Service directives and 2026 budget

The Executive Order follows a May 2025 directive from the US Forest Service calling for “safe, aggressive initial attack” as the guiding principle for wildfire suppression.

Bridger also referenced the 2026 federal budget, which proposes a total of $6.55 billion for the new US Wildland Fire Service, including a three-fold increase in baseline funding and a dedicated reserve fund.

Aerial capacity and data tools positioned for deployment

Davis said the company operates the world’s largest private Super Scooper fleet and advanced surveillance aircraft.

He stated: “This executive order marks a significant change in how we approach and fight wildfires as a country.”

Governor Newsom says federal actions undermine response capacity

Loss of National Guard firefighters criticised

California Governor Gavin Newsom warned that federalisation of National Guard units has weakened the state’s wildfire response capacity.

He said five of 14 CalGuard fire crews were impacted by the reassignment of 300 personnel to Los Angeles, removing three-quarters of the Guard’s wildfire prevention and response support.

Forest Service cuts and programme eliminations highlighted

Newsom argued that cuts to the US Forest Service conflict with the Executive Order’s stated goals.

He noted a 10% reduction in total personnel and a 25% reduction in non-suppression roles, as well as proposed eliminations of grants to state and tribal resilience programmes.

The California Natural Resources Agency said this could shift federal priorities from community protection to timber production.

California continues to expand its own capabilities

Newsom outlined California’s efforts to mitigate wildfire risks through expanded staffing, regulatory streamlining and investments in aerial and AI-enabled technology.

The state has added thousands of personnel and completed over 2,200 wildfire prevention projects since 2020.

New funding, including $72 million for fast-tracked vegetation management projects, was also announced.

Truthout reports on federal staffing cuts and fire readiness

Forest Service employees describe disruption and uncertainty

Reporting from Truthout highlights large-scale staff reductions and administrative freezes at the US Forest Service.

Former employees described being dismissed without specific cause and then reinstated provisionally, only to face potential termination again due to ongoing litigation.

Cuts impact prevention, operations and firefighter safety

The article reports that the reduction in staffing has diminished the Forest Service’s capacity to conduct controlled burns, coordinate legal responses and maintain field crews.

Programmes tracking firefighter exposure to carcinogens have also been reduced.

Hiring freezes and rescinded job offers have further limited seasonal staffing as fire season begins.

Criticism of broader federal strategy

Truthout links these staffing reductions to Project 2025 and the Office of Management and Budget’s implementation of fiscal reforms.

It notes that while states like California and Colorado are making significant investments in wildfire resilience, others lack the resources to fill federal gaps.

The report warns that the US is entering fire season “with one hand tied behind its back.”

How the US 2025 wildfire executive order is changing national fire strategy: Summary

President Trump issued an Executive Order in June 2025 to restructure national wildfire response and prevention.

The order directs the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture to consolidate wildfire programmes.

Federal agencies are instructed to expand local partnerships, modernise technology, and review regulations that limit prescribed burns or fire retardant use.

The Department of Defense is directed to consider releasing satellite data and excess aircraft to support firefighting.

IAFF General President Edward Kelly supported the order, highlighting firefighter safety and coordination.

Bridger Aerospace expressed support for the order and cited increased federal funding and aerial readiness.

Governor Gavin Newsom criticised the federal government for cuts to National Guard and Forest Service staffing.

California outlined continued state-level investment in wildfire response, staffing, and technology.

Truthout reported widespread federal staffing cuts affecting the US Forest Service and emergency preparedness.

Concerns were raised about reduced national capacity ahead of the 2025 wildfire season.