The Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus is encouraging Congress to fund Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill programming supporting nationwide enhanced wildfire preparedness, mitigation, and response.
U.S. Reps. John Curtis (R-UT) and Joe Neguse (D-CO) are leading Caucus members in urging the appropriations. Funds could be used to expedite the pace and scale of hazardous fuels management and forest restoration, improve ecosystem health, lessen the risk of severe flooding and erosion in forests after fire, protect critical watersheds, and increase support for the wildland firefighting workforce.
“It is imperative that the federal government prepares to respond and recover after a wildfire starts,” Curtis, co-chair of the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus, said. “Equally important is our ability to prevent disasters in the first place, and ensuring that mitigation programs are adequately funded is the first step. I am proud to have led this letter with the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus advocating for robust funding for wildfire-related programs to bolster our critical wildfire prevention, response, and recovery programs.”
Neguse, co-chair of the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus, said the western United States experienced a devastating wildfire season this year.
“In Colorado, we experienced three of the largest wildfires in state history, two of which impacted communities in my district,” he said. “Such a historic challenge requires a proportionate response. The Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus is focused on finding science-based solutions to tackle these fires and invest in mitigation and response. It’s crucial that this year’s spending bill include robust funding for programs that will support these efforts and support our communities, our firefighters, and our lands.”