Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-Utah-03), Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Lands, has announced the passage of the Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act. The legislation, supported by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah), and Representatives Burgess Owens (R-Utah-04), Blake Moore (R-Utah-01), and Celeste Maloy (R-Utah-02), will establish a federal wildfire research institute at Utah State University.
The new institute is tasked with studying wildfire ecology and developing strategies to reduce wildfire risks. It will work in partnership with local, state, and federal agencies to improve forest and rangeland management as well as implement long-term ecological restoration efforts.
“I am proud to be the House sponsor of this bill. The Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025 will drive critical research to develop and sustain fire-resilient forests, safeguarding our communities. By implementing proven best practices, we anticipate reducing the strain on our firefighters and emergency services, who tirelessly protect both Utah’s forests and its residents,” said Rep. Kennedy.
Chairman Westerman stated: “H.R. 1045 will give Utah’s firefighters, land managers and communities better data and tools to combat the growing threat of catastrophic wildfire. By expanding research, improving data collection, and advancing fire modeling capabilities, this bill means more effective mitigation, safer communities, and stronger forest resilience. I commend Rep. Kennedy and Sen. Lee for their leadership on this effort and I am proud to support this forward-looking effort to protect lives, landscapes, and western economies.”
Senator Lee commented: “Robust forest management strategies are essential to protecting Utah’s nearly 22 million acres of forests from catastrophic wildfires. The Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act will significantly enhance our state’s wildfire preparedness by bolstering the tools and resources available to proactively manage and protect our forests and communities.”
Senator Curtis added: “Wildfires have increasingly devastated Utah communities, threatened homes, and scarred our cherished lands. The Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act ensures Utah has the cutting-edge research and proactive solutions it needs to better prevent and mitigate fires—protecting our families, forests, and way of life.”
Rep. Maloy said: “Utah responsibly manages its forest land in collaboration with partners at the local and federal levels to prevent and limit the spread of wildfires. This legislation will provide the state with additional resources to build off its existing efforts and increase resiliency. I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation alongside my colleagues in the Utah delegation.”
Rep. Owens remarked: “Utah has long been at the forefront of responsible resource management, and it’s time for our state to be included in efforts to prevent wildfires and protect our forests. By establishing the Utah Wildfire Research Institute, we’ll harness local expertise, collaborate with national partners, and strengthen our ability to tackle one of the most pressing issues facing the West.”
Rep. Moore noted: “This bill will establish a wildfire research institute in the First District where experts and officials can come together and create innovative solutions to keep our forests and communities safe. As the west continues to struggle with devastating wildfires, this effort will help ensure that Utah has resources to research and collaborate on wildfire mitigation, forest management, and watershed projects.”
The legislation amends existing law so that Utah joins Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado as a site for one of four Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes under SWERI programs previously established by Congress in 2004.
Under this act:
– An institute will be created at Utah State University focused on promoting healthy forests through collaborative research.
– The Chief of the Forest Service along with the Secretary of Interior must designate a university in Utah—expectedly USU—to host this new institute.
– Funding appropriated annually for these programs under current law must now include a share for USU.
These measures aim not only at improving data collection but also at enhancing cooperation between agencies for more effective fire prevention across Western states.
