Vilsack on Fires

Vilsack on Fires

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
USDA Sec. Tom Vilsack: “We are not in a position to do the restoration and resiliency work that is important and necessary, not just to keep our forests healthy but also to reduce the risk of these intense and enormous fires.” You heard those words a week ago but a new statement from Se. Vilsack has just arrived. “This year, we are experiencing yet another devastating wildfire season, particularly in the drought-ravaged West. Climate change, drought, fuel buildup, insects and disease are increasing the severity of unprecedented wildfire in America's forests and rangelands, which impacts the safety of people, homes and communities. Development close to forests has also increased the threat to property, with more than 46 million homes in the United States, or about 40 percent of our nation's housing, potentially at risk from wildfire. USDA works closely with the Department of Interior and Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, along with other partners, to deploy the workforce, equipment, and interagency coordination necessary to respond safely and effectively to increasingly severe wildfire seasons.

 

We are expending in excess of $150 million per week on fire suppression activities, and that will likely grow in the days and weeks ahead.

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