[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 115 (Thursday, September 6, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S9151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           MONTANA WILDFIRES

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, the loss of life battling catastrophic 
wildlife is a tremendous tragedy that lends us perspective. With the 
loss of four fighters in less than one week in my home State, the fire 
season in Montana again reminds us that we must be deeply grateful for 
the hard and dangerous work these firefighters do, work that takes them 
away from their homes and their families to protect the people of 
Montana and the West.
  Let me honor the four firefighters who lost their lives battling 
fires in Montana.
  On August 31, 2001, three men died in a helicopter crash near the 
Fridley Fire just south of Livingston, MT. The pilot was Rich 
Hernandez, 37, originally from Florida. His copilot, Santi Arovitx, 
only 28, was originally from Spain and had been living in Hillsboro, 
OR. Their crew chief was Kip Krigbaum, 45, of Emmett, ID.
  On September 3, David Ray Rendek, just 24 years old, was killed when 
struck by a falling snag while working on a small fire in Bitterroot 
National Forest, near Hamilton, MT.
  David graduated from high school in Victor, MT, and attended classes 
at the University of Montana, in Missoula with his sister. I have been 
told he was a passionate advocate about the outdoors and was a 
dedicated firefighter. I am very sorry his family and Montana have lost 
such a promising young man.
  My deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and 
friends of these four men. We in Congress honor their memory and the 
ultimate sacrifice they made for the people of Montana. We are very 
sorry for their loss.
  Unfortunately, the fires in Montana continue. Dedicated fire crews 
continue to battle hostile weather conditions and high winds.
  Montana fires have consumed over 90,000 acres. The largest fires are 
the Fridley Fire near Livingston and the Moose Fire burning in and 
around Glacier National Park.
  The Fridley Fire has burned over 26,800 acres, and it is approaching 
the Gallatin Divide, increasing the threat to the Bozeman water supply. 
Over 1,000 people are fighting this fire.
  As of September 5, the Moose fire has burned more than 58,000 acres. 
There are 35 20-person crews currently battling the Moose Fire.
  Fourteen are Montana crews and several crews come from Montana's 
Indiana Country--the Rosebud Sioux, Ronan, Blackfeet Nation and 
Northern Cheyenne. Air Support includes 9 helicopters and 3 air 
tankers. Other Montana crews include: Glacier Park, Bitterroot Hot Shot 
Crew, Trapper Creek Job Corps, Kootenai National Forest and Flathead 
National Forest.
  The force of the Moose Fire is tremendous, as it burns on Forest 
Service, private, and Glacier National Park lands. People have reported 
to me they can smell the smoke as far away as Chester, another even 
suggested as far away as Minot.
  For those listening who may not know those distances, Minot is in 
North Dakota, 700, 800 miles away.
  All of our fire crews are working long days and long hours battling 
these blazes, and I just can't praise them enough. They have contained 
several fires and they are winning the struggle with the dangerous 
Fridley and Moose fires.
  Also, our Indian country firefighters are again great heroes on our 
fire lines in northwest Montana. Although wildfires are devastating, 
our tribal neighbors continually step up to the plate and meet this 
challenge full on. I intend to work closely with the tribes to better 
incorporate them in the National Fire Policy planning process.
  I also intend to continue to work hard for funding for fire 
rehabilitation efforts. Many people tend to forget that the devastating 
effects of wildfire remain long after the last flame has been put out.
  The terrible mudslides that occurred after heavy rains in the 
Bitterroot National Forest in Montana in June are a sober reminder of 
that fact. These mudslides destroy property, soil cover, and can 
devastate watersheds. We must make sure that the appropriate Federal 
agencies have the resources they need to restore burned areas and to 
deal with the long-term effects of fire on the ground.
  Again, I express my deepest gratitude to all of the men and women who 
put themselves in harm's way on the fire lines in Montana, and my 
deepest sorrow and regret that they lost four of their comrades in the 
line of duty.
  I will continue to do everything I can to make sure our crews have 
the manpower and equipment they need on the ground. The quicker our 
firefighters can contain these fires, the sooner we can take their 
lives out of danger.
  Mr. President, I appreciate your attention. I yield the floor and 
suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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