WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture last week announced sweeping reforms to modernize the federal wildfire response system and new funding to expand waterfowl habitat and public access on national wildlife refuges.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins outlined plans for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, which will unify firefighting operations across agencies beginning in January 2026. The initiative, launched under President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order 14308, aims to streamline capabilities, eliminate bureaucratic fragmentation, and better safeguard communities against increasingly destructive fires.
“For too long, outdated and fragmented systems have slowed our ability to fight fires and protect lives,” Burgum said. “By streamlining federal capabilities and strengthening our partnerships with state, tribal, and local teams, we will deliver the common-sense reforms needed to safeguard our communities, our lands, and our future.”
Rollins emphasized that decades of insufficient management have fueled catastrophic fires, with billions lost annually to damage and recovery. “We are taking bold action to modernize wildfire response systems, streamline capabilities, and protect our forests for generations to come,” she said.
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service will centralize predictive services, establish a joint federal aircraft fleet, modernize firefighter training and equipment, and integrate pre- and post-fire activities into a unified strategy. Officials stressed that permanent pay reforms and continued congressional support will be critical to sustaining the initiative.
In a separate action, the Interior Department announced more than $54 million for waterfowl habitat conservation and public access improvements at four national wildlife refuges. The funding, approved by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, will conserve 21,737 acres through purchases funded largely by sales of Federal Duck Stamps.
The largest investment, $35.2 million, will add 17,023 acres to the Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana. Other acquisitions include 3,285 acres at Red River National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana, 934 acres at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Utah, and 495 acres at Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge in Tennessee.
“These new areas will help bolster wetlands conservation and increase habitat for migratory birds while expanding outdoor recreation opportunities,” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik said.
Since its creation in 1934, the Duck Stamp program has raised more than $1.3 billion, conserving over 6 million acres of habitat. Sales of the stamps — required for waterfowl hunters but popular among birders and conservationists — continue to fund one of the nation’s most effective tools for wetland protection.
Officials said the combined reforms reflect a broader federal push to strengthen natural resource management, protect ecosystems, and enhance public access to lands critical to both conservation and recreation.
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