landusepbb
05-13-2004, 07:09 AM
For Immediate Release
May 12, 2004
Contact Brian Kennedy or Matt Streit at (202) 226-9019
Subcommittee Examines Firefighting Preparedness
Washington , DC - Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) will convene members on Thursday, May 11, 2004 at 11:00 am in 1334 Longworth House Office Building to hear testimony on the nation's preparedness to respond to another volatile wildfire season. Those testifying before the panel include the Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment at the Department of Agriculture, Mark Rey, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget for the Department of Interior, Lynn Scarlett, and the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, Ellen Engleman Conners.
"As the 2004 wildfire season begins, it is important to access the nation's ability to effectively and quickly respond to a potentially explosive wildfire season," said Chairman Richard W. Pombo (R-CA). "As such, the Subcommittee is looking forward to learning how the Forest Service plans to protect communities in the West in light of the extremely dangerous forest conditions and the recent decision to ground its airtanker fleet."
This week the U.S. Forest Service decided to ground its aging fleet of 33 air tankers used to battle wildfire in the West after the National Transportation Safety Board issued a report regarding the tankers' airworthiness. The Subcommittee plans to look specifically at that decision and the implications it may have on fighting wildfires this summer. The agencies have developed a strategy for the 2004 firefighting season to supplement aerial resources with other available aircraft that will also be explored.
" As we move closer to the peak of the 2004 wildfire season, this hearing will examine the extent to which the Forest Service, BLM and other federal land management agencies are prepared and equipped to combat what is expected to be a severe fire season resulting from a combination of drought and the accumulation of fuels," said Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR). "The hearing will also evaluate the steps that these agencies are taking to fill the void left by the recent grounding of 33 airtankers."
Members of the Subcommittee also plan to examine funding issues as it pertains to wildfire suppression. Due to several years of large, catastrophic fires, the Forest Service has been forced to borrow funds from other accounts. If the suppression funding problem is not solved, implementation of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, which will actually restore forest health while reducing the threat of wildfire, will be endangered.
Continuing drought conditions, less than normal winter precipitation, rising temperatures and high fuel loads have many western states certain an unprecedented fire season is coming. California has already declared an early fire season following two brush fires that consumed over 30,000 acres. As the dry, hot summer months approach, the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management will undoubtedly be tirelessly working to protect western communities and forests.
May 12, 2004
Contact Brian Kennedy or Matt Streit at (202) 226-9019
Subcommittee Examines Firefighting Preparedness
Washington , DC - Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) will convene members on Thursday, May 11, 2004 at 11:00 am in 1334 Longworth House Office Building to hear testimony on the nation's preparedness to respond to another volatile wildfire season. Those testifying before the panel include the Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment at the Department of Agriculture, Mark Rey, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget for the Department of Interior, Lynn Scarlett, and the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, Ellen Engleman Conners.
"As the 2004 wildfire season begins, it is important to access the nation's ability to effectively and quickly respond to a potentially explosive wildfire season," said Chairman Richard W. Pombo (R-CA). "As such, the Subcommittee is looking forward to learning how the Forest Service plans to protect communities in the West in light of the extremely dangerous forest conditions and the recent decision to ground its airtanker fleet."
This week the U.S. Forest Service decided to ground its aging fleet of 33 air tankers used to battle wildfire in the West after the National Transportation Safety Board issued a report regarding the tankers' airworthiness. The Subcommittee plans to look specifically at that decision and the implications it may have on fighting wildfires this summer. The agencies have developed a strategy for the 2004 firefighting season to supplement aerial resources with other available aircraft that will also be explored.
" As we move closer to the peak of the 2004 wildfire season, this hearing will examine the extent to which the Forest Service, BLM and other federal land management agencies are prepared and equipped to combat what is expected to be a severe fire season resulting from a combination of drought and the accumulation of fuels," said Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR). "The hearing will also evaluate the steps that these agencies are taking to fill the void left by the recent grounding of 33 airtankers."
Members of the Subcommittee also plan to examine funding issues as it pertains to wildfire suppression. Due to several years of large, catastrophic fires, the Forest Service has been forced to borrow funds from other accounts. If the suppression funding problem is not solved, implementation of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, which will actually restore forest health while reducing the threat of wildfire, will be endangered.
Continuing drought conditions, less than normal winter precipitation, rising temperatures and high fuel loads have many western states certain an unprecedented fire season is coming. California has already declared an early fire season following two brush fires that consumed over 30,000 acres. As the dry, hot summer months approach, the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management will undoubtedly be tirelessly working to protect western communities and forests.