[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 189 (Friday, November 30, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H9745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             URGING ACTION TO REDUCE SEVERITY OF WILDFIRES

  (Mr. GIANFORTE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge farm bill 
negotiators to include critical forest management reforms in the new 
farm bill.
  I am encouraged that the new farm bill is forthcoming, but it should 
include reforms on how we manage our forests.
  Mr. Speaker, the Camp fire in California has tragically claimed the 
lives of 88 people and hundreds remain missing. It has left more than 
13,000 families without homes.
  Last year in Montana, more than 1.2 million acres burned, creating 
dangerous air quality. Congress must act now. Our communities can't 
afford to wait any longer.
  Senate Democrats should put the health and safety of our communities 
first and include commonsense forest management reforms in the farm 
bill. Meaningful forest management reforms will reduce the severity of 
fires, improve air quality, boost the health of our forests and 
wildlife habitats, as well as create good-paying jobs.
  Mr. Speaker, with devastating wildfire seasons over the last couple 
of years, it is urgent that Congress act now.

                          ____________________