Heather Fox (Udall) 303-650-7820
Congressmen Salazar & Udall Help Secure Additional $910 Million for Firefighting Costs
Includes $175 Million for Hazardous Fuels Reduction such as in areas hit hard by bark beetle kill
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Salazar and Congressman Mark Udall have helped secure $910 Million for firefighting costs nationwide after one of the worst wildfire seasons on record has exhausted funds used to fight and prevent fires.
Nearly 5 million acres have burned nationwide, costing over $1.8 billion for Federal wildfire suppression activities, which is $700 million above the average suppression cost. The average size of wildfires is growing, as influenced by climate change and related impacts to forests. This year there were two terrible, extended wildfire events in California.
Salazar and Udall have fought for fire mitigation funds for areas of Colorado and the West that have been dramatically impacted by the bark beetle. These emergency funds include $175 Million for urgently needed hazardous fuels reduction projects nationwide, with a particular focus in the Mountain West to combat tree die-off from the bark beetle. The hazardous fuels funding includes $125 million for state and private activities and $50 million for projects on national forests.
“Coloradans know first hand the devastating impact of fire. With the growing impact of the bark beetle, we can no longer wait. Action must be taken to help protect the loss of life and property throughout the state in areas hardest hit by the beetle epidemic,” said Salazar. “These funds are an important first step and, rest assured, Congressman Udall and I will continue to urge our colleagues to protect the Mountain West and help Coloradans fight the growing problem the bark beetle presents.”
“Responding to the problems associated with insect infestations in Colorado’s forests has been a high priority for me for many years. Unfortunately, it is clear that the effects of the bark-beetle epidemic will be felt for many years to come,” said Udall. “We need to do as much as we can as soon as we can to reduce threats and increase public safety while also improving the health of our forests for successive generations. Additional funding can help create a future forest condition that will help forests be more resilient and better able to respond to insects, drought and other natural conditions. Congressman Salazar and I will continue to fight for additional resources to combat this epidemic.”
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