Senate Unanimously Passes Merkley-Curtis Bipartisan Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act

Bipartisan legislation would remove regulatory burden on proactive forest management, lower net emissions

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and John Curtis (R-UT), members of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, announced that the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act (WEPA).

Merkley and Curtis' bipartisan legislation would streamline states' use of prescribed fires to prevent wildfire emissions, protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats, and make American forests and communities safer, healthier, and cleaner.

"As climate chaos fuels longer, hotter, and more dangerous wildfire seasons, our communities need to have all the necessary resources to mitigate wildfire threats. Prescribed fire and cultural burning on the landscape are one such tool by reducing hazardous fuels," said Merkley. "This bipartisan bill would streamline the use of prescribed burns and includes my provisions to establish the Smoke Ready Communities Program. With our Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act passing the Senate, we are on the way to supporting more prescribed fire on the landscape-an essential forest management activity-while giving our communities the resources to plan and prepare for smoke events, protecting public health and saving lives."

"Utah has faced a devastating fire season, and we know that preventing catastrophic wildfires starts with giving land managers the tools to reduce hazardous fuels before they burn," said Curtis. "Prescribed fire works, and states should not be penalized for responsibly using it to protect communities, forests, and air quality. I'm grateful the Senate unanimously passed this commonsense, bipartisan bill, and I urge the House to act quickly so we can get it to the President's desk."

The Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act would:

• Make it easier for states and communities to use prescribed fire to prevent wildfire emissions;
• Protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats;
• Provide certainty that states won't be penalized for taking action to prevent wildfires;
• Promote the efficient use of state air quality resources; and
• Make our forests and communities safer, healthier, and cleaner.

The bill passed the EPW Committee with a vote of 19-0 on September 16, 2026.

A one-page summary of the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act is available by clicking here, and the full bill text of the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act is available by clicking here.

###