Daines, Merkley Call on Biden Administration to Protect Communities from Dangers of Wildfire Smoke, Increase Active Management to Mitigate the Risk of Catastrophic Fire
December 14, 2023
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) led a group of bipartisan senators in sending a letter to Biden administration officials on the need to use prescribed fires to protect communities from the negative impacts of catastrophic wildfires. “For decades, western states have faced smoke filled summers that harm vulnerable populations, degrade the enjoyment of the outdoors, and weaken the economic vitality of communities that support outdoor recreation industries. Prescribed fire is a proven method to reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire and the associated smoke from the mega-fires confronting our communities today. Given the significant harms that wildfire