From David Brock Smith:
“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the State Legislature, County Commissioners, industry and community leaders and our Federal delegation as we move forward in crafting policy and management changes for our federal forest lands. These needed changes in resource management will assist in not only mitigating wildfire, but will also have the opportunity to revitalize our rural communities and their economies with common sense management practices. Needed policy changes in these areas and the initial attack response of wildfires, will protect our communities health and safety, protect our watersheds and habitat and bring opportunities for living wage jobs to our residents. It will also help boost our cross laminated timber industries; which I’ve long said is the future of the industry, and sequester that carbon for a very long time.”
Below is from Secretary Zinke:
“Today I ordered an aggressive approach to proactive wildfire prevention through fuels reduction.
This Administration will take a serious turn from the past and will proactively work to prevent forest fires through aggressive and scientific fuels reduction management to save lives, homes, and wildlife habitat.
It is well settled that the steady accumulation and thickening of vegetation in areas that have historically burned at frequent intervals exacerbates fuel conditions and often leads to larger and higher-intensity fires.
These fires are more damaging, more costly, and threaten the safety and security of both the public and firefighters. In recent fire reviews, I have heard this described as ‘a new normal.’ It is unacceptable that we should be satisfied with the status quo.
We must be innovative and where new authorities are needed, we will work with our colleagues in Congress to craft management solutions that will benefit our public lands for generations to come.”
You can read the press release from the U.S. Department of the Interior by clicking the link below.