Oversight Hearing | Subcommittee on Federal Lands

The House Committee on Natural Resources GOP Subcommittee on Federal Lands held an oversight hearing on June 27, 2025, focused on advancing innovative technologies to improve forest management and prevent wildfires. The hearing emphasized the need for modern technology adoption, such as AI, drones, satellite imagery, and sensor networks, to enhance wildfire detection, forecasting, and response. Witnesses highlighted challenges including bureaucratic procurement bottlenecks, lack of interoperability among agencies, and insufficient staffing and funding for federal wildfire agencies. The Fix Our Forest Act was discussed as a legislative effort to centralize wildfire technology efforts, create a fireshed center, and promote public-private partnerships to accelerate technology deployment. Several witnesses underscored the importance of proactive forest management, targeted fuel reduction, and community resilience programs to reduce wildfire risk and costs. The hearing also addressed concerns about proposed budget cuts to wildfire programs and the need for better coordination and leadership to implement technology effectively. Members expressed bipartisan support for leveraging technology while stressing the necessity of adequate funding and personnel to complement these tools.