The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is calling for a coordinated national response to wildland fires, including those in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), which have steadily increased in frequency and severity.
According to IAFC, the U.S. is experiencing a growing challenge, with a 10-year average of over 7 million acres burned annually.
Suppression costs have escalated from $239.9 million in 1985 to $3.166 billion in 2023, highlighting the financial toll.
The IAFC supports the National Wildland Fire Cohesive Strategy as a foundation for collaboration among federal, state, tribal, and local agencies.
The organization also backs recommendations from the 2023 Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission.
These recommendations emphasize utilizing local government resources to reduce risks in WUI communities.
The IAFC’s “Ready, Set, Go!” program, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, is designed to educate communities on preparing for wildland fires.
In Fiscal Year 2024, the program funded six projects across 20 states, removing 2,312 cubic yards of vegetation, treating 236 acres, and addressing fire risks for over 100 properties.
These efforts also improved evacuation routes for affected communities.
The IAFC has outlined several policy recommendations for the federal government.
These include the creation of a standardized national agreement to ensure local governments are reimbursed for wildfire-related costs, the development of a shared real-time deployment system, and increased access to training and equipment for local responders.
The IAFC also advocates for improving workforce recruitment, development, and retention strategies and addressing pay disparities among federal wildland firefighters.
The IAFC recommends increasing funding for research into wildland fire mitigation, with a focus on integrating ecological knowledge with predictive technologies.
The organization emphasizes the need for data-driven decisions and consistent, transparent communication among stakeholders to address local fire risks.
The IAFC underscores the importance of a collaborative, nationwide effort to protect communities and landscapes from the growing threat of wildland fires.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs is advocating for comprehensive national strategies to address wildland and Wildland Urban Interface fires.
With suppression costs rising to $3.166 billion in 2023 and over 7 million acres burned annually, the IAFC supports policies emphasizing collaboration, funding, and education.
The IAFC highlights its “Ready, Set, Go!” program, which treated 236 acres and improved evacuation routes in 2024, and recommends a standardized wildfire agreement and better pay for federal wildland firefighters.
Additionally, the IAFC calls for increased funding for research and improved communication to mitigate fire risks and enhance community resilience.
