Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, Interior Secretary Jewell Outline Wildfire Threat during Upcoming Fire Season
DENVER, Colo. – Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced today that the upcoming fire season is going to be above normal.
“Climate change, drought, fuel buildup, insects and disease are increasing the severity of catastrophic wildfire in America’s forests,” said Secretary Vilsack. “Together we are working to ensure that we have the workforce, equipment, and interagency coordination necessary to respond safely and effectively to increasingly severe wildfire seasons.
The Department of Interior said it is ready to deploy about 4,500 personnel, including more than 3,200 firefighters and nearly 1,200 support personnel, as well as 700 engines and 130 pieces of heavy equipment, for this year’s wildfire season.
The secretaries urged the public to help prevent wildfires while preparing for fire season, noting that most wildfires are human-caused. They urged communities at risk from wildfires to take steps to remove flammable materials from around their structures and improve safety by developing community wildfire protection plans.
Communities and residents can access educational resources available at www.fireadapted.org and through the “Firewise,” and “Ready, Set, Go!” programs.
