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Tag: Wildfire

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

Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Make Pay Raise for Wildland Firefighters Permanent 

July 14, 2023

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines helped introduce the bipartisan “Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act”to maintain the pay raise secured for Montana wildland firefighters in Daines’ bipartisan “Wildland Firefighter Fair Pay Act” that was signed into law in 2021. Daines’ “Wildland Firefighter Recognition Act” which was also signed into law in 2021 and required the Office of Personnel Management to create a job series for wildland firefighters that recognized the dangerous work they do and also helped pave the way for this critical boost in compensation. “As fire season devastates Montana communities year after year, Montana wildland firefighters put everything on the line to protect Montana families and towns. I was glad to work with my colleagues across

Daines Calls for Passage of bipartisan 9th Circuit Cottonwood fix, highlights efforts to support wildland firefighters at Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

June 8, 2023

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called attention to the serious threat of wildfires as smoke covers East Coast skies and highlighted the importance of passing his full and permanent fix for the 9th Circuit Cottonwood decision. Click HERE to download his remarks. Daines: When you woke up this morning in Washington, you might have opened your windows up and heard the birds coughing outside. It’s no secret that wildfire season is upon us. My guess is that folks on the East Coast are already sick of the smoke. We’re already hearing about ground stops at the Philadelphia airport,

As Skies Fill with Smoke from Canadian Wildfires, Daines Calls for Full Reversal of Disastrous 9th Circuit Cottonwood Decision

June 7, 2023

“If you woke up in D.C. today you may have heard the sound of birds coughing” To watch Daines’ remarks, click HERE. U.S. SENATE – As the East Coast gets a taste of wildfire season with skies filling with smoke from Canadian wildfires, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today delivered remarks at the weekly Republican Senate Leadership press conference calling for the passage of his bill to reverse the disastrous 9th Circuit Cottonwood decision to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. “If you woke up in Washington D.C., this morning, you might have awakened to the sound of birds coughing. You’re all getting a firsthand account and experience of the

Daines Introduces Bill to Protect Montana Communities, Firefighters from Wildfires 

March 15, 2023

U.S. SENATE –Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the “Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act” to protect firefighters, communities and property in Montana and throughout the West from the devastating impacts of wildfires. The bill ensures the continued use of fire retardant to manage wildfires and protect communities and firefighters. “In recent years, Montana has suffered catastrophic wildfire seasons. We must do everything we can to cut bureaucratic red tape and put an end to frivolous litigation that’s preventing our brave firefighters from using all means necessary to protect our Montana families and communities from these deadly flames,” said Daines. Daines joined Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho),

Daines reintroduces Root and Stem Act

February 1, 2023

Source: Daily Inter Lake U.S. Sen. Steve Daines’ office announced Tuesday that he has reintroduced his Root and Stem Act after it passed the Senate during the last congressional session, but not the House. This time, the Montana Republican is introducing the bill with legislators from both houses of Congress in the hopes of securing its quick passage. The Root and Stem Authorization Act will codify the authority of the secretaries of the Agriculture and Interior departments to conduct forest restoration projects alongside private landowners and companies. The legislation aims to facilitate more efficient forest management efforts, supporters say. “Season

Daines Calls on Biden Admin to Address Housing Issues for Wildland Firefighters

January 19, 2023

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led a group of bipartisan senators calling on the Biden administration to provide information on the availability and cost of federal firefighter housing. In many states, including Montana, housing issues are a key barrier to firefighter recruitment and retention. “On November 17, 2022, the Government Accountability Office published a report on the barriers to wildland firefighter recruitment and retention, and one of the primary barriers identified by the report was the cost associated with a remote duty station, including the costs for federal housing. This finding confirms the anecdotes we have heard from

Forest Service Responds to Daines’ Demands to Expedite Salvage Projects

August 6, 2018

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released comprehensive data on recent forest salvage and restoration projects that have taken place due to Daines’ efforts and the efforts of local elected officials and forest collaboratives. The projects will help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and create jobs for Montanans. “Last year’s wildfires were devastating for Montana’s communities and forests. Our state and towns were covered with smoke for weeks at a time, and our once flourishing forests turned into tinderboxes,” Daines said. “I’m thankful that the Forest Service has responded to my request – and the request of local communities – to complete

Daines Applauds Decision to Enhance Tools to Combat Wildfires, Protect Public Safety

May 6, 2016

BILLINGS, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the federal government’s decision to work with Montana to enhance the tools necessary to combat wildfires. “It’s great to see the federal government work with Montanans to combat wildfires,” Daines stated. “While this announcement is a step in the right direction, the Forest Service needs to continue working with our state to utilize all aerial firefighting resources on federal fires at any time to protect our forests and communities.”  Last fire season, Daines urged the United States Department of Agriculture to reverse their prohibition on the use of UH-1H helicopters to combat Montana wildfires. Daines is

Daines Works to Improve Federal Cooperation with Indian Country

March 9, 2016

U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today fought to improve Montana’s tribes’ sovereignty, pressing the Obama administration to work more collaboratively and efficiently with Montana’s tribes relating to health care and management of tribal forests.  During two different Senate Committee hearings today, Daines called on witnesses to improve stewardship of federal funds while working to alleviate some of the challenges associated with wildfires in Indian Country. U.S. Indian Health Service Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request: Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks.  During this morning’s Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies hearing on the Indian Health