[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 106 (Tuesday, September 12, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S8410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               WILDFIRES

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise to acknowledge the efforts of the 
tens of thousands of brave men and women who have fought this year's 
rash of wildfires throughout the West. These firefighters have weakened 
the menacing flames that have burned millions of acres of western 
states, taking lives and devouring farmland, forests and homes. More 
than six and a half million acres have been destroyed this year. My 
home state of Idaho, with one and a quarter million acres lost to the 
flames, has been one of the most harmed.
  This fire season is the worst we have faced in fifty years. It is 
clear that without the help of the many people who are fighting these 
fires, many inhabited areas of the West could become smoldering 
expanses of charred remains. I offer my sincerest gratitude to everyone 
participating in the effort to combat the devastating fires. Their work 
protecting lives, property and the environment is appreciated by all 
westerners and is crucial to the western economy.
  Firefighters and fire support teams have been deployed from a range 
of federal and municipal agencies including county sheriffs 
departments, local volunteer fire departments, tribes and other local 
crews throughout the West and the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land 
Management, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Park Service, 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration. Help has also been enlisted from the 
National Guard and battalions from the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine 
Corps as well as from trained individuals from Canada, Mexico, 
Australia and New Zealand. Most of these efforts have been coordinated 
out of the National Interagency Fire Center, located in Boise, Idaho.
  Battling fires is dangerous and exhausting work. The air is warm, 
smoke-filled and flecked with ash. Most of the firefighter's time is 
spent building firelines, burning out areas, moping up after fires and 
directly attacking fires. These tasks often entail miles of walking, 
and hours of tough manual labor, like scraping the ground, chopping and 
digging, all while wearing uncomfortable protective equipment.
  The work is so demanding that some firefighters still lose weight 
even though they have consumed five or six thousand calories a day. 
Sleep is often inadequate and infrequent. Some teams along the fire 
line have been known to work 48-hour shifts before calling it a day. 
Firefighters can almost count on receiving blistered feet and bloodshot 
eyes. Serious injuries and even death are ever-present risks. This 
year, sixteen people have suffered fire-related fatalities.
  Fire support teams also have been working overtime as drivers, 
equipment operators, paramedics, medical staff, and trouble shooters. 
It is an enormous management task just to make sure that all of the 
firefighters are fed and that they receive the equipment, medical 
attention, and time to sleep.
  I commend all of the firefighters and support teams for meeting the 
physical and mental challenges with bravery and steadfast 
determination. I know I speak for all when I say that our thoughts and 
prayers are for their safety and we are eager for them to return to 
their normal lives.
  The fire season is not yet over as hundreds of fires blaze and 
threats of more lightening storms that could bring new fires loom. This 
is indeed a difficult time, although we can take peace of mind from the 
fact that steady, well-trained hands are working on our behalf to keep 
the towering flames at bay. Right now, it is important to be grateful 
for the hard work that has been done to protect us and hopeful for an 
end to the destruction.

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