EPA Seeks to Reduce ‘Unnecessary Burdens’ on Wildfire Prevention Efforts

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking action to minimize wildfire risk across the country, seeking to ensure that fire-prone areas are not disadvantaged due to stringent regulations that thwart wildfire prevention efforts. EPA administrator Lee Zeldin asked staff to “revisit the Obama-Biden Administration’s Exceptional Events rulemaking and prioritize the allowance of prescribed fires within State and Tribal Implementation Plans,” the agency said in a March 12 statement. The exceptional events rule is related to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). NAAQS defines the maximum allowable concentration of pollutants in outdoor air. States and tribal localities develop air quality implementation plans that help them attain or maintain NAAQS standards. However, events such as wildfires and volcanic eruptions can end up worsening air quality and push states and tribal areas into violating NAAQS through no fault of their own....