For the first time, the Forest Service will spend more than half of its budget fighting wildfires, says a USDA report that predicts wildfire suppression will consume two-thirds of the agency’s annual budget a decade from now. The demands of wildfire suppression will prevent the Forest Service from carrying out programs such as watershed and landscape management that reduce the chance of fire, says the USDA. By mid-century, wildfires would consume twice as much land as they do now, thanks to fire seasons that are growing longer.
“Climate change and other factors are causing the cost of fighting fires to rise every year,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement. The USDA called for a change in the way that wildfire costs are paid. At present, the department has to shift money out of non-fire accounts to cover costs when there is a bad year for fires. The administration says catastrophic wildfire seasons should be considered a natural disaster, with no budgetary offset needed.