RELEASE: Breakthrough Institute Endorses Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act

Washington, DC — July 24, 2026 — The Breakthrough Institute endorsed the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act (WEPA) of 2026 led by a bipartisan group of Senators. This legislation would simplify regulatory compliance for states conducting prescribed burns. These and other proactive fuel reduction treatments aim to reduce wildfire intensity and severity.

The bill would classify prescribed burns as exception events, excluding smoke from these wildfire mitigation efforts from Clean Air Act calculations. EPA already allows state, tribal, and local air quality agencies to exclude air monitoring data spiked by natural wildfires when calculating compliance with National Air Quality Standards.

“The bipartisan compromise struck in the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act of 2026 balances the national priority of conducting fuel reduction on more acres while maintaining EPA oversight and expanding support for community smoke protection,” said Emily Bass, Director of Federal Policy for Food & Agriculture at the Breakthrough Institute. “This legislation is one piece of the puzzle needed to help states scale up the use of prescribed burns as a wildfire mitigation tactic.”

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Media Contact:

Emily Bass

Director of Federal Policy, Food and Agriculture

emily@thebreakthrough.org