Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act of 2026

This bill changes the Clean Air Act so that smoke from prescribed fires (fires set on purpose under the law to burn vegetation) can count as an "exceptional event" when the federal government reviews air quality data. It defines prescribed fire to include cultural burning as determined by an Indian tribe. The EPA must propose rule changes within 270 days and finalize them within 180 days after that, including steps to reduce the cost for states to show an exceptional event. The EPA must act on state petitions within one year, or the petition is treated as approved unless the EPA later decides otherwise. The bill also allows the EPA, if funds are provided, to give competitive grants to states, tribes and others to address wildfire smoke in community buildings such as schools.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• John R. Curtis Republican sponsor
• 7 cosponsors