House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) delivered the following speech today at the Western Regional Forest Resources Association Spring Meeting in Pasco, WA. In the speech, Chairman Hastings talked about the House bill (H.R. 1526) that would put tens of thousands of Americans back to work, provide stable funding for counties to use for education and… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings delivered the following statement on the House floor today in support of H.R. 1526, the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act: “Mr. Chairman, over the last few months deadly wildfires, specifically in California, Arizona, Colorado and other western states, have highlighted the growing problem with our… Read more »

Today the House of Representatives will begin consideration of H.R. 1526, Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act, legislation that renews the federal government’s commitment to manage federal forests for the benefit of rural schools and counties and to improve forest health. The bill is supported by over 140 local and national organizations, including 68 counties in 17… Read more »

This week the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group raised the National Preparedness Level to 5, its highest level indicating high fire activity with increasing threats. The last time the National Preparedness Level was raised to 5 was July 1, 2008 and remained at this highest level for 22 days.  A raised preparedness level indicates a high degree of wildfire activity, a major… Read more »

Last week, NBC Nightly News highlighted the wildfires burning throughout the United States. There are currently 39 fires in 11 states. The map below shows location and proximity of the current fires. This year is on track to be a record year for wildfires. Watch Here:

Today, the House Natural Resources Committee passed H.R. 1526, the “Restoring Healthy Forest for Healthy Communities Act” by a voice vote. This legislation renews the federal government’s commitment to manage federal forests for the benefit of rural schools and counties, improves forest health and helps prevent catastrophic wildfires. “Across our country, rural forest communities… Read more »

Yesterday, Congressman Paul Gosar (AZ-04) spoke with Bloomberg TV about wildfire prevention and active forest management. Congressman Gosar district includes the area affected by the devastating Yarnell fire this summer. Earlier this month, the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulations held a hearing on wildfires and forest management. Click here to… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held an oversight hearing on “Wildfire and Forest Management.” The hearing focused on the need for increased forest management to reduce hazardous fuels and the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Last year, 9.3 million acres burned due to forest fires and was the third worst fire season on record for… Read more »

National forests are in an unhealthy and dangerous state resulting in larger and more intense wildfires. In 2012, wildfires burned 9.3 million acres, while the U.S. Forest Service only harvested approximately 200,000 acres. This means that 44 times as many acres burned as were responsibly harvested and restored. According to the U.S. Forest Service, 65-82 million acres of Forest Service… Read more »

The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation will hold an oversight hearing on Thursday, July 11th on “Wildfire and Forest Management.” This hearing will discuss the current wildfire season and ways to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire through proactive, healthy forest management. While factors such as prolonged drought continue to raise… Read more »