In a significant move to address heightened wildfire risks across the country, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an increase in the national fire preparedness level to Level 4 on Saturday, July 13, 2025.
This decision was made by the National Multi-Agency Coordination Group (NMAC) in response to rising fire activity, elevated wildfire risks, and the increasing demand for firefighting resources.
The five-tier preparedness scale is supervised by wildland fire representatives at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) located in Idaho.
Preparedness Level 4 is characterized by a high number of significant fires and a substantial commitment of national firefighting resources, while still allowing for some flexibility in resource deployment.
As of July 14, the USDA confirmed that the US Forest Service’s fire workforce was 99% staffed, with expectations for full coverage by the following week.
For the 2025 summer fire season, the USDA has prioritized fire response, expressing confidence in its staffing levels.
With nearly 11,300 wildland firefighters anticipated to be in place by mid-July, the current staffing is reported to be ahead of previous years.
USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins emphasized the commitment to providing necessary resources to ensure the US Forest Service remains a leading force in wildland firefighting.
Rollins stated, “We are providing the resources needed to ensure the U.S. Forest Service has the strongest and most prepared wildland firefighting force in the world.”
Level 4 preparedness translates to increased demand for a variety of firefighting resources, including incident management teams, fire crews, engines, helicopters, airtankers, and heavy equipment such as bulldozers.
In addition to this announcement, Secretary Rollins criticized previous restrictions on forest management, indicating that the department is actively taking measures to enhance fire response and promote better management of national forestlands.
She declared, “We are in peak fire season and are rightfully raising the preparedness level to ensure we are protecting our public lands and communities from devastating fires.”
Rollins highlighted collaborations with President Donald Trump, Secretary Burgum, and various state, local, and Tribal partners, emphasizing that they are prepared to respond effectively to fire events.
The USDA is not merely waiting for fires to ignite; they have implemented a series of federal actions and partnerships aimed at correctly managing national forestlands.
She further stated, “For too long, environmental activists have tied the hands of our public servants from actively managing our forests and even blocking simple road construction, which is essential for fire vehicles and personnel to access fires swiftly.”
To address these concerns, she mentioned the initiation of procedures to rescind the roadless rule and the declaration of a national forest emergency to clear dangerous fuel loads that pose significant fire risks to forests in the future.
The National Interagency Fire Center plays a crucial role in coordinating wildfire response across various agencies in the United States.
Based in Boise, Idaho, the NIFC serves as the hub for multi-agency wildfire coordination and includes representatives from each wildland fire agency.
Through NMAC, these agencies work together to evaluate wildfire risks and allocate national resources more effectively.
Each preparedness level requires specific management actions, with Level 4 necessitating increased coordination on a national scale and support from multiple agencies.
The USDA asserts that the decision to elevate the preparedness level relies heavily on the evaluation of weather conditions, fuel availability, and the number of active large fires.
To mitigate fire risks, the USDA has urged the public to be vigilant and responsible when engaging in outdoor activities during the busy summer months.
They emphasized the importance of conducting outdoor recreation safely to prevent accidental fire incidents that could stretch emergency responders thin.
Small negligence can pose great danger to firefighting personnel and furthermore strain national response capabilities.
For additional guidance and information, the USDA directed individuals to visit the NIFC’s website.
As of now, no additional restrictions or area closures have been introduced alongside the preparedness level increase.
In summary, the USDA has raised the national fire preparedness level to Level 4, reflecting increased fire activity and heightened resource demands across the nation.
With 99% of the US Forest Service’s firefighting staff in place and full staffing anticipated soon, the department is ready to confront significant wildfire challenges.
Preparedness levels are determined by various factors including fuel, weather, fire activity, and resource availability, and the USDA is taking proactive steps towards effective forest management.
The increase to Level 4 underscores the urgency of interagency coordination and national resource allocation amid this critical time.
The USDA continues to encourage public responsibility during these dangerous summer months while reiterating that no new area closures have been announced.
image source from：internationalfireandsafetyjournal
