Additional funds for the fire service were included in the economic stimulus plan passed by the U.S. Senate, specifically in the areas of fire stations and wildfire management. Speaking about the plan, President Obama said it would "save the public-sector jobs of teachers, police officers, firefighters and others who provide vital services."

Under the plan — which will have to be reconciled with the House of Representatives' version before it can become law — $210 million will be available until Sept. 30, 2010, as grants for modifying, upgrading, or constructing state and local fire stations. An additional $15 million is allocated for wildland-fire management, and $485 for hazardous fuels reduction and hazard mitigation activities in areas at high risk of catastrophic wildfire, of which $260 million is available for work on state and private lands using all the authorities available to the Forest Service.

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