By Senator Jim Risch
Every summer, Idaho and the West witness the devastating effects of wildfires. This year is no different, and my heart goes out to those who have lost homes, property, and so much more.
I hosted Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and fellow Idahoan Tom Schultz, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise this week to discuss this issue directly.
As the only trained forester in the U.S. Senate, and one of the few members of Congress who has worked on a fire line, I’ve seen what happens when our public lands are not properly managed.
Idaho’s public lands are one of our greatest assets. They are not only beautiful landscapes, but are vital to our economy and rural communities.
However, years of fuel build up, insects, and disease have left these lands vulnerable.
Active management of our public lands is essential to preventing catastrophic wildfire. That means removing hazardous fuels, responsibly managing our firesheds, expediting timber projects, and encouraging collaboration at federal, state, and local levels.
With two-thirds of Idaho being public lands, how we manage them matters greatly.
Secretaries Burgum and Rollins and Chief Schultz agree with me on the importance of this issue. They are strong partners in our mission to bolster wildfire prevention and mitigation and ensure Idaho is well equipped to fight fire when it happens.
As your Senator, I’ll continue leading the charge for more active management of our public lands to protect Idaho communities and our way of life for generations to come.
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About Jim Risch
Jim Risch proudly represents the people of Idaho in the United States Senate. He currently chairs the Foreign Relations Committee and sits on the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Risch previously served as Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and State Senator. For the latest press releases and constituent services visit risch.senate.gov.
