Lawmakers urge federal wildfire consolidation not to reduce local response capacity

On Feb. 18 the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee reviewed Senate Joint Memorial 8015, which asks Congress to ensure the federal consolidation of wildland firefighting programs results in operational capacity, avoids reductions during active fire periods, and protects firefighter health and natural resources.

Lily Smith, committee staff, explained the memorial responds to an executive order consolidating the Forest Service and Interior wildland fire programs into a U.S. Wildland Fire Service. Sen. Shelley Short (7th), the prime sponsor, said Washington relies on federal partners and urged that consolidation not disrupt coordination with state, local and tribal responders.

Supporters from conservation groups, industry and unions described the scale of the problem and urged stronger federal preparedness. Jesse Pastana of The Nature Conservancy said low snowpack and longer, drier summers increase risks, and called wildfire smoke a public-health crisis that requires federal action. Seamus Petrie of the Washington Public Employees Association said the memorial unites diverse stakeholders and urged the legislature to pass the resolution while also restoring state funding for DNR wildfire prevention and response.

The memorial attracted broad pro testimony from tribes, forest-industry groups and firefighters; witnesses said federal staffing and equipment must be sufficient and that state action (including House Bill 1168 funding and federal “good neighbor” authority) should continue to reduce risk.

The committee did not take final action during the hearing.