State Emergency Fire Suppression account gets replenished

SHERIDAN (WNE) — After an unprecedented 2024 fire season, Gov. Mark Gordon continues to show his support and backs Senate File 152 — which funds Wyoming’s Wildland Firefighting Efforts.

“This act is an improvised but well-thought-out response to last year’s devastating wildfires. One can hope this year will not bring similar impacts, but we must be prepared for the potential regardless,” Gordon said in his line-item veto letter. “This act provides the required funding for fire suppression, disaster funding replenishment and a slight increase to Wyoming’s firefighting capabilities.”

According to a press release, Senate File 152, “Wildfire management-amendments,” includes $20 million to replenish the emergency fire suppression account; repays $20 million borrowed from the Legislative Stabilization and Reserve Account in 2024 for fire-related activities; appropriates $1.2 million for disaster contingencies within the Office of Homeland Security and replenishes $1 million in Governor’s contingency funds.

The governor specifically line-item vetoed funding for a loan program narrower than one funded through Senate File 195 - Small business emergency bridge loan program. He noted that the loan program added to Senate File 152 robbed funding from the Energy Matching Funds intended to support Wyoming’s core energy industries. In Senate File 152, Gordon line-item vetoed section 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10b

More than 850,000 acres burned during the 2024 fire season, making it one of the worst in Wyoming history.

“Approximately 70% of the acres burned are privately owned by multiple land owners, large and small,” Gordon said.

Sheridan County Fire Warden Chris Thomas said replenishing the fund has given him a peace of mind. Most of the suppression grant money comes from the Department of Homeland Security and their role in fire suppression varies based on the incident, he said.

This story was published on March 15, 2025.