Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on the dangerous wildfires burning in California and called on Congress to pass the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act:
“California is suffering from one of the worst fire seasons in decades, intensified by the most severe drought conditions in 500 years. More than 7,000 fires have burned this year to date, consuming more than 740,000 acres of land. Fire chiefs say they’re seeing some of the most dangerous fires ever, fires that move faster and are more intense than past years.
“Two firefighters have been killed, and four firefighters remain hospitalized. Today, there are more than 8,600 firefighters battling active fires using 1,500 fire trucks, 90 helicopters and 15 air tankers.
“One civilian has been killed and tens of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate. According to the U.S. Forest Service, 756 homes have been destroyed by the Butte and Valley Fires alone, and thousands more homes and businesses are currently threatened.
“Unfortunately, the way we pay for firefighting activities worsens the situation. The Forest Service this year will borrow $700 million to fight current fires—money that was intended to prevent future wildfires by removing brush and dead trees. This approach means California and other Western states will be even more vulnerable to devastating wildfires next year as vital prevention programs are delayed, sometimes indefinitely.
“The Wildfire Disaster Funding Act, a bill introduced by Senator Wyden that I strongly support, would help solve this problem. Once fire spending exceeds a certain threshold, firefighting would be funded through a separate, disaster account.
“The bill would fund wildfires the same way other natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes are handled—through disaster funding. No one should have to worry about getting an appropriation of additional funding to fight fires in the driest conditions in 500 years.
“I applaud the administration for supporting this proposal and am hopeful the Senate will act on this bill as soon as possible.”
