East Idaho Times

A group of senators, led by Mike Crapo, Jim Risch, and Steve Daines, has sent a letter to officials in the Biden administration, urging them to take action to protect communities from the dangers of wildfire smoke and increase active forest management. The senators emphasized the negative impacts of wildfires on vulnerable populations, the outdoors, and the economic vitality of communities that support outdoor recreation industries.

The senators highlighted the importance of using prescribed fires as a proven method to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and the associated smoke. They emphasized that prescribed fires produce a small amount of smoke at a predictable time and in a more controlled manner, making them a far preferable option to the large and unpredictable smoke of catastrophic wildfires. The senators called on the Biden administration to allow for prescribed fires, which would mitigate wildfire risk while protecting public health.

The senators referenced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on November 8, 2023, between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The MOU aims to enhance collaboration between these agencies in order to protect communities from the negative impacts of wildfire smoke. However, the senators expressed concern that complex and technical regulations from the EPA continue to limit the use of prescribed fires, which produce far less smoke than wildfires and can be planned when wind is blowing away from communities.

The full letter sent to the EPA, DOI, USDA, and the CDC can be found [here](insert link).

In addition to Crapo, Risch, and Daines, several other senators also signed the letter, including Roger Marshall, Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden, John Barrasso, Joe Manchin, Jerry Moran, Martin Heinrich, Cynthia Lummis, Laphonza Butler, Kyrsten Sinema, John Thune, Patty Murray, Dan Sullivan, and Jon Tester.

The senators' letter underscores the urgent need to address the dangers of wildfire smoke and increase active forest management through the use of prescribed fires. By advocating for the use of this proven method, the senators aim to protect communities, improve public health, and mitigate the devastating impacts of catastrophic wildfires.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/crapo-risch-daines-push-biden-administration-to-protect-communities-from-dangers-of-wildfire-smoke-increase-active-forest-management