The Bush administration said it would accelerate projects designed to thin the nation's forests in the absence of congressional action to reduce the risk of wildfires. About 7.1 million acres of forest and rangeland burned this year, nearly double the 10-year average. Administration officials called the situation a crisis. Because Congress didn't act on an administration proposal to reduce the danger, the White House is developing new rules under existing law. They would limit the need to do an environmental analysis before thinning could occur.