1-28 IAN Fire borrowing

Simpson Praises Omnibus Language Protecting Western Interests. An omnibus appropriations bill has recently been passed in Congress and includes provisions for wildfire funding. is The bill fully funds wildfire suppression accounts at the 10-year average, providing $3.94 billion for wildfire fighting and prevention programs within the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior.  It also fully reimburses agencies for what is known as "fire-borrowing"—when agencies must drain non-suppression accounts to pay for wildfire fighting costs that exceed fire budgets—in 2013. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson praised provisions included in the Omnibus Appropriations Act for FY14 that protect Western interests and bring more accountability to federal spending.  Here is the congressman's spokesperson, Nikki Watts: "There is no doubt that providing adequate funding for wildfire suppression must be a top priority, and I'm pleased that this bill provides full funding for these efforts," said Simpson.  "As important, however, is recognizing the impact that wildfire suppression costs have on agencies' abilities to restore our forests to a healthier state.  Fire borrowing robs the agencies of the resources they need for good forest management, creating a cycle of higher costs and unhealthier forests.  This bill attempts to stop that cycle by repaying accounts that were drained during last year's fire season and rejecting significant proposed cuts to this year's hazardous fuels budget."