PNW Lawmakers Concerned About Upcoming Wildfire Season

Northwest democrats are sounding the alarm about wildfire risk in the region.

Last week, Congresswomen Andrea Salinas and Val Hoyle, joined by lawmakers from Oregon and Washington, sent a letter to top federal officials urging immediate action ahead of what could be a dangerous fire season.  They point to an unusually warm winter that’s left the region with historically low snowpack, conditions they said, can worsen drought and fuel wildfires.

Oregon’s snowpack is now at its lowest level ever recorded, with Washington and Idaho also far below average. 

Lawmakers Worry About A Lack Of Preparedness

The lawmakers warn that dry soils, low streamflow, and parched vegetation could increase the likelihood of fast-moving, severe, and costly fires this summer.  They're also concerned about whether federal agencies are prepared, citing staffing cuts, reduced funding, and declining progress on wildfire prevention efforts like hazardous fuels reduction.

Other northwest lawmakers that signed last week’s letter include:

• Washington’s Suzanne Bonamici, Suzan DelBene, Pramila Jayapal, Rick Larsen, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, Emily Randall and Marilyn Strickland
• Oregon’s��Janelle Bynum and Maxine Dexter 

Click Here to read last week's letter.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com