Rep. LaMalfa Urges Action on Forestry Reforms

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) today spoke on the floor of the House to demand urgency in addressing the threat of catastrophic wildfires by implementing common sense, balanced forest policies that would allow greater state and local involvement in wildfire prevention on federal lands. LaMalfa's comments came in the wake of the Boles Fire, which has destroyed or damaged much of the town of Weed, California.

"Last night in the town of Weed, California, over 100 of my constituents' homes were destroyed or damaged by fire, along with an elementary school and timber mill, one of the area's largest employers. Thousands of my constituents are under evacuation orders, and the fire is not yet fully contained," said LaMalfa. "Unfortunately, this is not new to rural California and the West. Each year, millions of acres are burned in California and throughout the United States, destroying communities and rural economies. The simple fact is that our forests are entirely unmanaged, and as a result are overgrown, unhealthy and ready burst into flame at any time."

Rep. LaMalfa cosponsored and voted in favor of H.R 1526, a measure which passed with bipartisan support to improve forest health and prevent wildfires by removing red tape from timber and fire prevention work in National forests. The Senate has failed to consider this measure or put forward a similar proposal. LaMalfa also is a cosponsor and strong supporter of H.R. 3992, which would end the diversion of forest management funding to firefighting by treating fires like other disasters and allowing flexible wildfire disaster funding.

"Without action by Congress and this administration to advance these responsible, common sense policies, our forests will continue to burn. Our constituents will continue to see their homes and livelihoods destroyed, and rural communities across the West will continue to suffer."

Video of LaMalfa speaking about the bill on the floor of the House of Representatives may be found here: https://youtu.be/0gd1s2DChIQ

Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California's First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.

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