E&E News (subscription) reports that Congress is likely to revisit the effort to enact legislation to address fire costs, management issues next year. The FLAME Act, which was passed by the House but saw no Senate action, may see new life in the coming months. An excerpt from the article:

An attempt was made this session to fix the Forest Service's fiscal woes. Earlier this year, the House easily passed a bill sponsored by Natural Resources Chairman Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) to create a special federal fund for the largest wildfires.

Called the Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act, or FLAME Act, it would have taken the pressure off the agency's regular budget by paying separately for catastrophic fires, which make up a very small percentage of the blazes the agency fights but account for most of its costs. Conservation and state forester groups called it a good first step but decried last-minute changes to the bill that weakened it.

The Senate never acted on the matter.

"I have been frustrated at its not being able to pass," Rahall said in an interview before the congressional recess. "It certainly detracted in my home state of West Virginia from the normal Forest Service budget and what they're able to provide in my home state. We need this separate account, this sequestration if you will of emergency funds for these major forest fires that have become more prevalent across many parts of the West."

The legislation will be at the top of his agenda in January, Rahall said.