letter to Chief Moore And Secretary Haaland Where Rep. Fulcher Joins Western Caucus Members in Demanding Transparency on Aerial Firefighting

Letter

Today, Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and Interior Appropriations Ranking Member David Joyce (OH-14) led 13 Members in sending a letter to U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Moore and Interior Secretary Haaland to demand an overdue report to Congress on 10-year contracting for aerial wildfire operators, as directed by the Fiscal Year 2021 Appropriations bill.

The FY21 Appropriations bill required the USFS and the Department of the Interior to provide a report on 10-year aerial firefighting contracts and whether they have the potential to ensure greater accountability, cost efficiency, and a more streamlined approach. The Administration has yet to provide this report, and it is now over 300 days past due.

"The U.S. must use all available tools to mitigate wildfire disasters," wrote the lawmakers. "The United States has experienced some of the worst fire seasons on record in recent years. In 2021 alone, 7.6 million acres burned -- roughly equivalent to the entire state of Maryland. …It is imperative that the U.S. procure a modern and safe aerial firefighting fleet, as they play an integral role in wildfire suppression."

The letter, which was signed by Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Rep. David Joyce (OH-12), Vice Chairs Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Mark Amodei (NV-02), Liz Cheney (WY-AL), and Pete Stauber (MN-08), and Reps. Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Mike Simpson (ID-02), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Ken Calvert (CA-21), Matt Rosendale (MT-AL), and Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), demands the Administration fulfill their legal obligation, deliver this report to Congress, and ensure rural communities are best equipped to mitigate catastrophic wildfires.

They continued, "We ask that the Forest Service, in partnership with the Department of the Interior, complete this report in an expeditious manner. The height of fire season is around the corner, and it is critical we make informed decisions surrounding our aerial firefighting fleet. This report will help enable Congress, the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and contractors effectively mitigate the threat of catastrophic wildfires and protect communities throughout the West and across the United States."

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