Washington, D.C. – Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS) is proud to announce the release of a groundbreaking new database cataloging federal appropriations for wildfire and wildfire-related activities. As wildfires continue to ravage communities and drain taxpayer resources, transparency in federal spending is essential. This database provides policymakers, practitioners, and the public with a detailed view of how federal wildfire funds have been allocated between Fiscal Years 2015 and 2024, offering insight into the challenges and successes of wildfire management programs.

The database focuses on appropriations for wildfire mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and research across various federal agencies. TCS conducted an exhaustive review of federal appropriations bills, agency budget requests, and other government and non-governmental sources to compile the data. Our team exercised careful judgment in categorizing programs and line items, recognizing the complexity of wildfire-related activities and their overlap across mitigation, response, and recovery efforts.

However, TCS emphasizes that the data is not exhaustive, as many federal programs intersect with wildfire policy in ways that are not always reflected in appropriations data provided by federal agencies. The database seeks to identify and fill in those gaps, where possible, offering insights into how federal dollars are being spent and areas for improvement.

“Our goal with this database is to educate and empower policymakers and the public,” said TCS Vice President Autumn Hanna. “We want to provide a clearer understanding of how taxpayer dollars are being used to address the growing wildfire crisis and identify where federal investments can be more efficient and effective in protecting communities.”

Key Findings:

• $59.7 Billion in Wildfire-Specific Appropriations: TCS cataloged nearly $60 billion in federal appropriations directed specifically at wildfire activities from FY2015 to FY2024, with wildfire suppression efforts consuming a significant portion of these resources.
• Underinvestment in Risk Mitigation: While mitigation activities are recognized as crucial for reducing future wildfire costs, they have only received 17% of wildfire-specific appropriations. Many mitigation programs, like hazardous fuels reduction, require closer scrutiny to ensure they are delivering the intended outcomes.
• Wildfire-Adjacent Programs: In addition to wildfire-specific appropriations, the database identifies $875 billion in appropriations for programs that may indirectly impact wildfire activity, such as forest management and disaster recovery initiatives. However, many of these programs lack transparency regarding wildfire-specific spending.
• Transparency Gaps: The database reveals significant gaps in federal reporting on wildfire spending. Some programs and line items lacked complete appropriations data, pointing to the need for federal agencies to improve their transparency and accountability to taxpayers.

TCS Recommendations:

TCS urges policymakers to adopt several key recommendations based on this database’s findings:

• Increased Transparency: Federal agencies must provide more comprehensive and accessible data on how wildfire-related funds are being spent, especially within programs that intersect with wildfire management.
• Improved Investment in Mitigation: Federal funding should prioritize risk mitigation strategies that have been proven to reduce the likelihood and severity of wildfires.
• Outcome-Oriented Metrics: Programs and appropriations aimed at reducing wildfire risk should be evaluated using outcome-based measures to ensure they are delivering results. Programs that subsidize wood product development or forest market expansion, for instance, need to be closely monitored to avoid perverse incentives that could increase wildfire risk.

This database follows the release of TCS’s 2023 report “Clearing the Smoke: A Closer Look at Federal Spending and Programs on Wildfire.” Taxpayers for Common Sense has over 30 years of experience tracking federal expenditures, and this database builds on that expertise to shine a light on the federal government’s wildfire spending priorities.

The database is now available to the public at https://tcsdatabases.net/wildfire/. Taxpayers for Common Sense invites policymakers, researchers, and concerned citizens to explore the data, examine the insights, and join the call for more effective wildfire management spending.

Contact: communications@taxpayer.net