Washington, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins issued a new Secretarial Memorandum and letter directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service to heighten national wildfire readiness, accelerate community-focused risk reduction, and strengthen firefighter health and safety for the 2026 fire year. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we have continuously implemented major reforms restoring active forest management, returning the Forest Service to a world‑leading forestry and fire management organization, and modernizing wildfire response and improving coordination across federal agencies. This fire season we are prepared to continue our full suppression strategy to suppress fire starts quickly to protect our forests and rural communities,” said Secretary Rollins. “This memorandum ensures the entire Department is aligned… to protect communities and the natural resources Americans depend on. Proper forest management remains central to this effort – reducing wildfire risk, strengthening rural economies, providing affordable, high‑quality lumber for American homes, and preserving the nation’s landscapes…”