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Wildfires

ICYMI: What It Will Take to Prevent Deadly Wildfires

| Posted in In Case You Missed It

Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke CNN Within minutes of the deadly Camp Fire's ignition, several acres were ablaze as fire spotters stood by helplessly. While Capt. Matt McKenzie of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection responded quickly, firetrucks were unable to reach the blaze and helicopters and air tankers were grounded due to the timing and weather,…

ICYMI: Wildfires and Washington: How Congress Can Stop Catastrophe Before It Starts

| Posted in In Case You Missed It

By:  Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) Deseret News Charred landscapes, torched buildings and the loss of property and life. These are the consequences of massive wildfires. Most Americans in the Eastern United States aren’t acquainted with this type of destruction. However, these scenes are all too familiar for those of us who live in the West. Congress and the U.S. Forest…

House Passes Bill to Prevent Catastrophic Wildfire in Oregon

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2075, the Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act. Introduced by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), this bill makes necessary adjustments to the wilderness study areas adjacent to Crooked River Ranch in Oregon to reduce the risk of wildfire for the local community. “Once again Congress is showing it is serious about protecting communities from…

Bishop Welcomes Yet Another Chance from Congress to Prevent Catastrophic Wildfire

| Posted in Press Release

Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) issued the following statement today on the introduction of the 2018 farm bill, which includes forest management provisions that mirror H.R. 2936, the “Resilient Federal Forests Act,” which passed the Committee and the House with bipartisan support:   “It’s great to see that folks realize the job isn’t done on forest management reform. Millions of acres…

Bishop Calls Out Broken Legislative Process, Slams Senate Democrats on Forestry Failure

| Posted in Press Release

House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement today in response to voting no on the omnibus package passed by the House.    “When the process is broken and negotiations take place behind closed doors in the Capitol, liberals and special interests always seem to get their way. That’s what happened here. “Democrats, especially in…

Westerman Letter to US Forest Service Chief Tooke

| Posted in Letters

TO: Mr. Tony Tooke FROM: Chairman Bruce Westerman According to the National Interagency Fire Center more than 9.7 million acres were consumed by wildfires this past year, 49 percent more than the average for the last ten years. In addition to the tragic loss of life, this season's wildfires have destroyed thousands of homes and business, damaged popular recreation sites, produces…

House Passes Bill to Reduce the Risks of Catastrophic Wildfires

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the House passed H.R. 2936, the “Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017.” Introduced by Rep. Westerman (R-AR), the bipartisan bill reduces the risk of catastrophic wildfire and dramatically improves the health and resiliency of federal forests and grasslands. “This year has proven to be another catastrophic year for wildfires. Dozens of lives have been lost, thousands of homes…

Congress at a Crossroads: We Can Prevent Further Wildfire Tragedy

| Posted in Op-Eds and Speeches

OP-ED: Congress at a Crossroads: We Can Prevent Further Wildfire Tragedy Rep. Rob Bishop Chairman, House Comittee on Natural Resources Accounts from recent catastrophic wildfires in Northern California depict a terrifying scene: “Hurtling down a mile-long dirt driveway, the wildfire closing in, Eli Monroe pulled to a stop at a crossroads. He sat for a moment with his girlfriend,…

Bishop, McCarthy Statement on the Resilient Federal Forests Act Headed to the Floor

| Posted in Press Release

Next week, the House will vote on H.R. 2936, the “Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017.” Introduced by Rep. Westerman (R-AR), the bipartisan bill reduces the risk of catastrophic wildfire and dramatically improves the health and resiliency of federal forests and grasslands. “Catastrophic wildfires rage every year on federal lands leaving communities in loss and despair. Next week, the…

Bishop Statement on House Disaster Relief Package

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the House passed an emergency aid package for hurricane and wildfire relief. Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement: “This is an essential package to aid the West with severe wildfire and communities on the mainland and our Territories devastated by hurricanes. Congress must remain committed to providing not only the resources but the statutory tools needed to…