Suppressing wildfires costs time and money. It also puts lives at risks, especially as unplanned wildfires grow out of control. In fact, it can cost millions of dollars for one single wildfire. It’s important for the federal government to manage the costs but also make sure the money is available to put people, wildlife, and property first. What have been the costs over the years? Where the Money Comes From The Forest Service and the Department of the Interior are responsible for funding the suppression of wildfires on a federal level. Combined, they can certainly raise the money, but it’s not always enough for the number of fires in a year. This number is routinely growing. Even when it’s just