Utah lawmakers introduce bill to establish wildfire research institute at Utah State University

First-term Congressman Blake Moore is facing two challengers in District 1. Photo: Summit County, Utah.

WASHINGTON – Utah’s congressional delegation has introduced a bill to create a wildfire research institute at Utah State University, aiming to enhance wildfire prevention efforts and forest management strategies.

The Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act, led by Rep. Blake Moore (UT-01) and co-sponsored by Reps. Mike Kennedy (UT-03), Burgess Owens (UT-04), Celeste Maloy (UT-02), Sen. Mike Lee, and Sen. John Curtis, seeks to establish a federally recognized institute dedicated to wildfire ecology and mitigation research.

“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,” Moore said. “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 proposed institute would collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies to study wildfire trends, improve land management techniques, and implement long-term ecological restoration efforts.

Sen. Lee emphasized the importance of proactive strategies. “Robust forest management strategies are essential to protecting Utah’s millions of acres of forests from catastrophic wildfires,” he said. “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.”

Curtis echoed those sentiments, stating, “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.”

The legislation expands on the Southwest Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention Act of 2004, which previously established ecological restoration institutes in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. The bill would add Utah as the fourth state in the program, ensuring the new institute receives a share of federal funding.

Kennedy highlighted the bill’s impact on emergency response efforts. “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,” he said.

Owens praised Utah’s history of responsible resource management and emphasized the importance of local expertise. “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,” he said.

Maloy added that the legislation builds on existing efforts to prevent and limit wildfires. “Utah responsibly manages its forest land in collaboration with partners at the local and federal levels,” she said. “This legislation will provide the state with additional resources to build off its existing efforts and increase resiliency.”

Under the bill, the Chief of the Forest Service and the Secretary of the Interior would be responsible for designating a Utah university to host the institute, with Utah State University expected to be the chosen institution.

The full text of the Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act is available here.