President Donald Trump’s FY2027 budget proposal seeks about $6.9 billion for federal wildland fire management, including a 4.7% increase over the FY26 enacted level and further consolidation under the U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) within the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI).
Megafire Action‘s proposal includes support for a Wildfire Intelligence Center within DOI to centralize fire data, technology, research and real-time analytics.
It also supports full consolidation of federal wildfire personnel and assets under the USWFS.
The request includes an increase of more than $300 million over FY26 levels, including a $100 million increase for the suppression operations reserve fund.
More than $200 million in additional funding would cover inflationary fixed costs and support the initial operationalization of a unified USWFS and Wildfire Intelligence Center.
Megafire Action noted that the proposed Wildfire Intelligence Center builds on bipartisan momentum tied to the Fix Our Forests Act, which it said was championed by U.S. Senators John Curtis, Alex Padilla, Tim Sheehy and John Hickenlooper.
Matt Weiner, CEO of Megafire Action, said: “Modern megafires move faster than our current fragmented systems.
“This proposal is a strong signal that the Administration is serious about moving toward the coordinated, data-driven approach needed to meet that threat.
“By unifying fire management within the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and establishing the Wildfire Intelligence Center, we’re building the foundation for a more effective national response.
“We look forward to working with the Administration and bipartisan leaders in Congress to ensure these reforms have the resources needed to protect American lives and landscapes.”
Megafire Action said the Center would consolidate more than 50 federal programs that currently manage wildfire data and expand those services for frontline use.
The group also said the integration would support detection-stage suppression decisions by assessing topography, fuel loads and community risk.
