Agriculture Secretary Says We Need More Resources Now to Prevent Wildfires in the Future

Agriculture Secretary Says We Need More Resources Now to Prevent Wildfires in the Future

Russell Nemetz
Russell Nemetz
As wildfires continue to burn out of control across the West, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the Biden Administration is asking Congress for a significant investment now in forest management and hazardous fuels removal that would reduce wildfires, save lives and save billions of dollars in the future.

"We're asking Congress for a significant increase in the Forest Service budget that would allow us to accelerate significantly hazardous fuel removal from our forests, which is key to reducing the number and severity of wildfires," said Vilsack.

In 2021, there have been over 35,000 wildfires already.

There's currently close to 20,000 people fighting about 99 major fires across primarily the northwestern part of the country.

To do what it takes to reduce the risk of wildfire on one acre cost about $1,400 but it takes $50,000 to put the fire out on that same acre.

"It's an expensive proposition" said Vilsack. "And in the long run, we would all be better off if we invest strongly in management".

Source: USDA

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