Federal Assistance for Wildfire Response and Recovery (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised July 29, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IF10732 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
Anne A. Riddle |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Wildfires are unplanned and unwanted fires. Wildfires can
have some beneficial impacts on an ecosystem, but also
often threaten homes and communities and force the
evacuation of thousands of people. Wildfires are often
caused by lightning strikes, and may also occur when a
prescribed burn escapes control or through unauthorized
human activities (deliberate or accidental). Over the last 10
years (2008-2017), wildfires have burned 6.6 million acres
annually on average in the United States. In 2017, more
than 71,500 wildfires burned 10.0 million acres and
destroyed more than 12,300 structures nationwide. More
than 65% (8,065) of the structures destroyed were
residences, and nearly 90% of the structures destroyed
(11,000) were in a single state, California.
Congress and other stakeholders have considered options
for federal support and assistance to address wildfire
suppression during a fire, post-wildfire recovery in the
aftermath, and land management activities to reduce the
risk of future catastrophic wildfires.
