More Wildfires & Farm Bill Extension Likely

More Wildfires & Farm Bill Extension Likely. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

Wildfires in Eastern Washington are causing respiratory problems for residents and firefighters. Dozens of lightning caused fires near Lake Chelan have resources stretched and air quality has become a major issue. Even some people who have been told they can return to their homes have been staying away. Red flag warnings have been posted as conditions continue to be critical with the potential for explosive fire development.

The thought of a new 5-year farm bill seems to be quickly going up in smoke as well as Congress is doing the short-timers dance on Capital Hill. According to Washington Congressman Doc Hastings it appears an extension may be the only answer.

HASTINGS: We’re simply running into a deadline and so the talk right now - and this changes it seems on an hour-by-hour basis - is looking at a 1-year extension. I think a 5-year farm bill is the way to go but if we have to do it just for 1-year to give us more time I would certainly be in support of that. And again keep in mind what is holding up the farm bill is not the farm part of the farm bill. 80% of the farm bill is not farm related and so it’s other issues that are involved.

Now here’s today’s Washington Grange report.

(Grange)

That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.