[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 184 (Sunday, October 25, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S6602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 766--HONORING THE INDIVIDUALS FIGHTING AND THE 
  INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE FALLEN RESPONDING TO WILDLAND FIRES DURING THE 
                      ONGOING 2020 WILDFIRE SEASON

  Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Cramer, Ms. McSally, Mr. 
Risch, Mr. Crapo, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Enzi, 
and Ms. Murkowski) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs:

                              S. Res. 766

       Whereas, since 8:00 p.m. on August 18, 2020, the National 
     Preparedness Level has been at 5, the highest level, 
     indicative of above-normal wildfire activity and a maximum 
     commitment of wildfire suppression resources and personnel;
       Whereas, as of September 23, 2020, 43,917 large wildfires 
     had burned 7,027,861 acres across the Western United States;
       Whereas warmer and drier weather and mismanagement of the 
     forests of the United States are exacerbating the threat of 
     wildfires and contributing to the above-normal fire activity 
     in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and other western 
     States in 2020;
       Whereas Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies have 
     mobilized wildland handcrews, interagency hotshot crews, 
     engine crews, smokejumpers, helitack crews, pilots, 
     rapellers, incident management teams, first responders, and 
     other wildland firefighters to help combat wildfires in the 
     West;
       Whereas, as of September 23, 2020--
       (1) 534 crews and more than 30,000 wildland firefighters 
     are mobilized to assist with efforts to contain wildfires 
     that threaten communities throughout the West;
       (2) the Department of Defense had approved and mobilized 
     more than 400 United States Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers to 
     assist with wildfire suppression efforts;
       (3) multiple State Governors had mobilized members and 
     units of the National Guard to assist with wildfire 
     suppression efforts; and
       (4) wildland firefighters from several countries, including 
     Mexico and Canada, had been mobilized to respond to wildfires 
     in the United States;
       Whereas the private sector has made significant 
     contributions to wildfire response, providing crews, 
     equipment, technology, expertise, and aircraft to assist 
     wildfire suppression efforts;
       Whereas, as of September 23, 2020, many wildland 
     firefighters, including 2 Montanans, had paid the ultimate 
     price while preparing and training to combat, protecting 
     communities from, and combating wildfires in 2020;
       Whereas the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic 
     has exacerbated the public health and public safety risks 
     inherent in combatting wildfires;
       Whereas, as of September 23, 2020, dozens of people in the 
     United States had lost their lives, and thousands of homes, 
     approximately 30 of which were in Montana, had been 
     destroyed, in wildland fires;
       Whereas, were it not for the efforts and bravery of 
     wildland firefighters, those numbers would have been much 
     higher;
       Whereas, during 2020, wildland firefighters in the United 
     States have not only risked their lives to fight wildfires in 
     the United States, but have also provided their services to 
     combat the bushfires in Australia; and
       Whereas wildland firefighters, first responders, sheriffs, 
     and community leaders have acted bravely and risked their 
     lives to contain dangerous wildfires across the Western 
     United States to protect families and critical 
     infrastructure: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes--
       (A) the efforts and sacrifices of the wildland firefighters 
     who have risked their lives to fight intense wildfires in 
     2020; and
       (B) the support, resources, and personnel mobilized by the 
     international partners of the United States;
       (2) honors the bravery and heroism of the men and women 
     assisting in responding to and combatting wildfires;
       (3) expresses appreciation and gratitude to firefighters 
     for protecting lives and property in the United States during 
     the ongoing 2020 wildfire season;
       (4)(A) honors the ultimate sacrifice of the wildland 
     firefighters who lost their lives assisting in fighting 
     wildfires in 2020; and
       (B) extends deepest condolences to the families, friends, 
     and colleagues of those wildland firefighters;
       (5) expresses full support for communities throughout the 
     West as those communities focus on recovery and rebuilding 
     affected areas and communities;
       (6) values the longstanding partnerships and collaboration 
     between Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies 
     coordinating wildfire response efforts; and
       (7) supports continued cooperation and collaboration 
     between Federal, State, local, and Tribal entities to 
     mitigate the underlying factors driving more intense wildfire 
     activity.

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