Date: 09/09/2015
Final
Federal Wildfire Issues
WILDFIRE MATTERS REVIEW COMMITTEE
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10:21 AM -- Federal Wildfire Issues
Julian Affuso, Deputy Director of Safety, Fire, and Aviation Management, U.S. Forest Service (USFS), described his wildfire work and background. He discussed fire conditions in the Rocky Mountain region and nationally. He stated that nationally, up to 98 percent of wildfires are suppressed on initial attack. He explained that conditions in 2015 have been favorable in Colorado, but a number of wildfires continue to burn across the west. Mr. Affuso further noted that most of the USFS firefighting resources in Colorado have been sent to other western states.
10:30 AM
Rick Cooksey, Director of State and Private Forestry and Tribal Relations, USFS, discussed USFS wildfire budget proposals. He noted that the wildland fire suppression costs for 2015 will far exceed the amount budgeted, resulting in funds being taken from other non-fire accounts to fight fires. He explained that these fund transfers lead to the deferral or cancellation of land management and fuels reduction projects on the ground. Mr. Cooksey continued to discuss funding impacts and noted that there are bills pending in the U.S. Congress that can effectively address these problems.
10:40 AM
Mr. Cooksey discussed the USFS role in the USPP.
Senator Baumgardner discussed National Forest road closures with Mr. Affuso. Mr. Cooksey added that USFS travel management plans take firefighting access into consideration when closing roads.
Senator Merrifield questioned Mr. Cooksey about the positions of Colorado's congressional delegation on USFS funding reform. Mr. Cooksey noted that the bills are bipartisan and several Colorado congress members have spoken in support of them.
10:47 AM
Senator Roberts discussed Colorado's investment in its own aerial firefighting fleet and asked how the USFS triages fires in multiple states. Mr. Cooksey explained that the USFS uses shared leadership and decision-making models, noting its work with local partners like Denver Water.
Discussion continued regarding the role of the federal government in environmental crises.
10:59 AM
Mr. Affuso discussed interagency firefighting operations.
Discussion continued regarding how the USFS prioritizes wildland fire response. Representative Buck responded to previous discussion on the role of the federal government in forest management.
11:09 AM
Mr. Cooksey discussed USFS programs to rehabilitate areas that have experienced fire. He noted that these programs must be done in partnership with other organizations when the burn areas are especially large. Senator Roberts responded to these comments.