A group of Republicans has asked President Trump in a letter to implement “immediate, decisive action” ahead of wildfire season.
Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) is leading the group of GOP lawmakers to request Trump take action as the May-to-November wildfire season begins, noting fires have already impacted communities and the environment across the country. The letter, signed by Sheehy and 16 other Republicans, was first reported by Semafor.
“We write to express our strong support for executive action your Administration is considering to mitigate the escalating wildfire crisis threatening our nation,” the letter began.
They noted that while wildfire season typically begins in May, this year has already been “one of the worst on record.”
“Immediate, decisive action is critical, and we support the Administration taking commonsense measures to protect the American people,” the Republicans wrote.
They note that federal jurisdiction over wildfire response is spread across federal and state agencies, with “no clear responsibility” for fighting the fires and protecting communities. There are unnecessary “bureaucratic hurdles and redundancies” within the agencies that hamper the ability to respond to wildfires quickly, they said.
“Adopting a more streamlined approach to wildfire response, implementing modern technology, giving brave wildland firefighters the tools and support they need to do their work safely and effectively, and ensuring the best resources are available to be deployed quickly when responding to wildland fire are all commonsense ways we can dramatically improve the federal wildland fire apparatus as we approach the bulk of the fire season this summer,” they said.
The Republicans noted that some improvements to the system will require congressional approval, but they believe executive action from Trump will provide the “most immediate path” forward.
“We stand ready to fully support your leadership in protecting American communities from the devastating impacts of catastrophic wildfires,” the letter concluded.
The letter was signed by Republican lawmakers from Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia and Wyoming.
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