President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order aimed at enhancing forest management efforts in response to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. The order focuses on expediting federal permitting approvals for forestry projects under the Endangered Species Act to prevent delays from environmental and regulatory reviews. Trump has consistently criticized California’s environmental policies for forest mismanagement, while Governor Gavin Newsom has defended the state’s efforts with a $2.5 billion investment in forest and land management.

The order, likely to face opposition from environmental groups, also aims to boost domestic timber production by simplifying the regulatory process for timber thinning and salvaging post-wildfires. By increasing timber supply domestically, the administration hopes to reduce reliance on timber imports from countries like Canada, Brazil, and Germany, ultimately aiming to lower housing construction and lumber costs.

This executive action underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing forest management challenges and mitigating wildfire risks, while also highlighting the ongoing debate between federal and state authorities regarding environmental policies and disaster response strategies.