[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 31, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10526-S10527]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE HEROIC EFFORTS OF FIREFIGHTERS
Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 286, submitted earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 286) recognizing the heroic efforts
of firefighters to contain numerous wildfires throughout the
Western United States.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor of the thousands of
firefighters who, in recent weeks, have literally put themselves in the
line of fire to protect our communities and rural economies from
countless wildfires throughout the western United States.
For the second year in a row, western States have been plagued by
continuous wildfires that far exceed those of average years. While July
and August are typically considered the peak months for western
wildfires, this year's fire season has been exacerbated by continued
drought, record-high temperatures, widespread dry lightning storms, and
high winds. As of July 23, more than 55,000 wildfires had been reported
this year, burning over 4 million acres. That represents an increase of
more than 8,000 fires and 1 million acres over the 10-year average.
My home State of Utah alone has reported nearly 700 separate
wildfires that have burned nearly 700,000 acres. This includes the fire
at the Milford Flats Complex, which burned more than 360,000 acres,
easily making it Utah's largest wildfire on record and one of the
largest of this year's fire season. Idaho is the only State that has
been hit harder than Utah this fire season, reporting more than 700
fires that have burned more than 800,000 acres.
Utah and Idaho have not been alone in this recent spike of wildfire
activity. The Milford Flats fire was ignited during a 3-day period that
lasted from July 6th through July 8th, at time period in which more
than 1,200 wildfires were ignited in the West as dry lighting storms
swept across California, Nevada, Utah, and Southern Idaho. Despite
these drastic conditions, Federal, State and local fire crews have been
relentless in their efforts to control these wildfires, literally
putting themselves between these infernos and our homes, our,
communities, and our resources.
I also want to express my heartfelt sympathies towards the hundreds
of communities and thousands of families affected by this year's fires.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they begin the difficult task
of cleaning up and returning their lives to normal.
At any given time, as many as 15,000 fire personnel are assigned to
large, uncontained wildfires throughout the West. This year, and every
year, these brave men and women overcome extremely volatile weather
conditions and terrain to contain nearly 98 percent of all wildfires
during their initial attack. That is why I am introducing a Senate
Resolution recognizing the heroic efforts of firefighters to contain
these dangerous fires in the West. Senators Bennett, Ensign, Wyden,
Domenici, Kyl, Barasso, Salazar, Craig, and Cantwell have joined me in
cosponsoring this resolution. Clearly, this Senate Resolution already
has strong bipartisan support, and I urge my remaining colleagues to
lend their support.
Mr. TESTER. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the
preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid on the
table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 286) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 286
Whereas the annual peak of the Western wildfire season
occurs during July and August;
Whereas the 2007 Western wildfire season has been
characterized by continued drought, record-setting
temperatures, extreme fuel conditions, and widespread dry
lightning storms;
Whereas firefighters have had to contend with extreme fire
behavior and rapid rates of fire spread;
Whereas, as of July 23, 2007, more than 55,000 wildfires
have burned more than 4,000,000 acres of land, which is more
than 8,000 fires and 1,000,000 acres higher than the average
reported fire rate over the last 10 years;
Whereas, from July 6 through July 8, 2007, more than 1,200
fires were ignited in the Western United States, most of
which were caused by dry lightning storms that swept across
California, Nevada, Idaho, and Utah;
Whereas, as of July 23, 2007--
(1) the State of Idaho has reported more than 760 fires
that have burned more than 800,000 acres;
(2) the State of Utah has reported more than 670 fires that
have burned more than 660,000 acres;
(3) the State of Nevada has reported more than 560 fires
that have burned more than 510,000 acres;
(4) the State of Oregon has reported more than 1,200 fires
that have burned nearly 212,000 acres;
(5) the State of California has reported more than 4,600
fires that have burned more than 117,000 acres;
(6) the State of Arizona has reported more than 1,600 fires
that have burned more than 88,000 acres;
(7) the State of Washington has reported more than 680
fires that have burned more than 64,000 acres;
(8) the State of New Mexico has reported more than 870
fires that have burned nearly 35,000 acres;
(9) the State of Montana has reported more than 960 fires
that have burned more than 19,000 acres;
(10) the State of Wyoming has reported more than 200 fires
that have burned more than 18,000 acres; and
(11) the State of Colorado has reported more than 740 fires
that have burned more than 7,400 acres;
Whereas, at any given time during the Western wildfire
season, as many as 14,000 firefighters are assigned to large,
uncontained fires throughout the Western United States; and
Whereas, despite tremendously volatile weather and terrain
conditions, Federal, State, and local firefighting units have
contained between 95 and 98 percent of all wildfires during
initial attack: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes the heroic efforts of firefighters to
contain wildfires and protect lives, homes, and rural
economies throughout the Western United States; and
(2) encourages the people and government officials of the
United States to express their
[[Page S10527]]
appreciation to the brave men and women serving in the
firefighting services.
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