Worsening A Warming-Fueled Wildfire Season, Sequestration Threatens Firefighting Efforts
By Ryan Koronowski on May 15, 2013 at 6:11 pm
Due to sequestration, the federal government will be at least $115 million short of normal wildfire fighting capacity during this years wildfire season. This is particularly problematic as large portions of the U.S. face a serious drought and extremely dry conditions. As the Washington Post reported, Agriculture Secretary Vilsack said I hope we can get through this fire season without any fatalities.
A new report from the House Appropriation committee Democrats found that the Forest service will have 500 fewer firefighters, 50-70 fewer fire engines, and two fewer aircraft because of sequestration. Some of the equipment it does still have is outdated such as the 50-years-old-on-average tanker planes that have crashed multiple times in the last decade, killing 14 people.
A Fox News radio AM talk show expressed incredulity that President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack could not find $115 million of fat in the budget so they cut firefighters. One of the more harmful aspects of sequestration is that the cuts take place across-the-board and do not permit the same flexibility in moving funds around within an agency.
Because last years wildfire season was so severe, the USDA Forest Service faced a $400 million shortfall for active firefighting and had to borrow money from fire prevention programs to cover the costs. These programs included paying for brush removal from public lands and protecting against invasive plants, disease, insect infestations, and fires. Eventually Congress reimbursed the Forest Service for the shortfall via the 2013 Continuing Resolution but the delays hurt prevention efforts. Last years fire season consisted of 67,700 fires burned 9 million acres.
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/05/15/2013321/worsening-a-climate-fueled-wildfire-season-sequestration-threatens-firefighting-efforts/
JNelson6563
(28,151 posts)As soon as it looks like the property of the wealthy will be harmed Congress will quickly pass enough funding to put out the fires.
And those who lose everything? Don't bother your beautiful mind with that. They will probably be better off in the end.
Julie
Politicalboi
(15,189 posts)Staples Center will gladly house these people. It will be a "Get to know your neighbor" opportunity.
Politicalboi
(15,189 posts)"These programs included paying for brush removal from public lands and protecting against invasive plants, disease, insect infestations, and fires".
This is like a war, and it gives more job opportunities for services members here at home. We are going to need more and more help with Global Warming, so we better think about how our future is going to handle this.