Rep. Ann Kickpatrick, D-Ariz., said real action was needed to protect first responders and communities affected by devastating fires. Ananth Baliga/MNS
WASHINGTON — Ten days after the loss of 19 firefighters in Arizona wildfires, congressmen from Arizona and Colorado Wednesday demanded Washington to pay attention and spend money on measures to prevent the fires that destroy lives and property every year.
“How do we quantify the loss of nineteen brave fire fighters? We can’t do that. But what we can do is prevent fires by implementing common sense solutions and apply them,” told Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., a Natural Resources subcommittee.
The Forest Service last year spent $296 million on hazardous fuel treatments nationwide, which is a preventive measure, while spending $1.77 billion on wildfire suppression. The hazardous fuel treatments program has gone through major cuts in the last two years in spite of being highly effective in reducing fires.
“We have failed miserably to address this issue and provide the agencies with resources and tools they need to address this critical issue,” said Arizona Rep. Raul M. Grijalva, the top Democrat on the subcommittee.
In addition, the Interior Department’s fire program has been cut by $37.5 million, resulting in a 7 percent reduction in seasonal firefighters, because of the forced across-the-board government cuts mandated by sequestration.
“Colorado and other states cannot afford to continue absorbing the enormous costs associated with these fires, most, thought not all, of which have burned on federal land,” said Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo.
Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Colo., called on President Barack Obama, who recently unveiled his plan to tackle climate change, to help prevent such wildfires because they as are adding to the country’s carbon emissions. He said emissions from wildfires have increased more than two times since the 1980’s.
“If the president is truly interested in reducing carbon emissions, without handcuffing our nation’s economy, his administration should take meaningful action to prevent the catastrophic wildfires that are burning in Colorado, Arizona and other parts of the West,” said Tipton.
Two major fires in Colorado, the Royal Gorge and Black Forest fires, have been declared disasters entitling the state to federal funds. The Yarnell fire in Arizona, which claimed the lives of the 19 firefighters, has been contained.