Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2025

# Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2025 – Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would increase pay for federal wildland firefighters who work for the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior. It creates a special pay schedule that boosts their salaries above the standard government pay scale, with higher-level firefighters receiving smaller percentage increases and lower-level firefighters receiving larger increases.

The bill also adds extra "premium pay" for firefighters who work on major fires that last longer than 36 hours and guarantees them paid time off to rest and recover after these extended incidents. **Who It Affects and Current Status** The bill directly affects federal wildland firefighters and aims to address recruitment and retention challenges in these demanding, dangerous jobs. It's sponsored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. The bill reflects broader concerns about the physical toll of wildfire response work and the difficulty of attracting workers to these positions.