Baumgartner Introduces Healthy Forests Incentives Act to Cut Wildfire Risk

Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA) released the text of his Healthy Forests Incentives Act of 2026. The bill aims to reduce wildfire risk by linking long-term forest stewardship with targeted incentives for businesses that put removed wood to productive use.

Baumgartner said many Western forests have up to seven times the tree density of 100 years ago, which raises fire risk, particularly near residential areas. He said more than 700 homes were lost this summer. He also said Congress appropriated $64.7 billion in wildfire-specific funds over the past 10 years, with more than half going to response and 17 percent to mitigation.

Why it matters

The bill is a proposal and has not become law. It targets wildfire risk near communities where homes have been lost.

Source: Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), November 2, 2026. Read the original release