III 112th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 229 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 7, 2011 Mr. Udall of Colorado (for himself, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Begich, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Tester, Mrs. Boxer, and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing the heroic efforts of firefighters to contain numerous wildfires that have affected thousands of people throughout the United States.

Whereas every State in the United States has been affected by wildfire in 2011; Whereas firefighters and residents have had to contend with extreme and erratic fire behavior and rapid rates of fire spread; Whereas, as of June 12, 2011, more than 32,189 wildfires have burned more than 4,700,000 acres of land, which represents more acres burned than in all of 2010 and approximately 600,000 more acres than the 50-year average of total acres burned in the United States in an entire year; Whereas, as of June 12, 2011— (1)the Southwestern States have reported more than 1,600 fires that have burned more than 1,700,000 acres; (2)the Southern States have reported more than 27,000 fires that have burned more than 2,400,000 acres; (3)the Northern and Central Rocky Mountain States have reported 818 fires that have burned more than 250,000 acres; (4)the State of California and Great Basin Region have reported more than 7,200 fires that have burned more than 21,000 acres; (5)the Northwestern States and Alaska have reported more than 400 fires that have burned more than 260,000 acres; and (6)the Eastern States have reported more than 3,500 fires that have burned more than 41,000 acres; Whereas, as of June 29, 2011, firefighters and personnel from the Federal, State, and county levels have responded overwhelmingly to battle wildfires throughout the United States, filling more than 95,600 requests for firefighter crew members; and Whereas the brave men and women who answered the calls for assistance have worked to minimize the displacement of thousands of residents and to protect against loss of life and property: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)recognizes the heroic efforts of firefighters to contain wildfires and protect lives, homes, natural resources, and rural economies throughout the United States; (2)encourages the people and government officials of the United States to express their appreciation to the brave men and women serving in the firefighting services throughout the United States; (3)encourages the people and communities of the United States to be diligent in preventing and preparing for wildfires; and (4)encourages the people of the United States to keep in their thoughts those who have experienced loss as a result of wildfire.