WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and White House Council on Environmental Quality Acting Chair Mike Boots today will release the final phase of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy – a collaborative response to the wildland fire risks facing the nation. The strategy coordinates and integrates the efforts of federal, tribal, state and non-government partners and private property owners across all lands and jurisdictions.
The senior Administration officials will be joined by Jim Karels, Chair of the Wildland Fire Committee for the National Association of State Foresters, and Will G. May, Jr., National Wildland Fire Coordinator for the International Association of Fire Chiefs
Media may participate in the 2:30 pm EDT news conference by dialing 1-888-391-7047 and providing the access code WILDFIRE.
The National Cohesive Strategy aims to use all stakeholders' wildland firefighting resources to achieve maximum efficiency and impact, reflecting a shared responsibility for managing fire-prone lands; protecting the nation's natural, tribal and cultural resources; and making communities safe and resilient for future generations.
The implementation of the National Cohesive Strategy supports the Obama Administration's Climate Action Plan to reduce wildfire risks, which are exacerbated by heat and drought conditions resulting from climate change. Improving the resilience of landscapes will make natural areas and communities less vulnerable to catastrophic fire.
WHO:
Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior
Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture
Mike Boots, Acting Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality
Jim Karels, Chair of the Wildland Fire Committee for the National Association
of State Foresters
Will G. May, Jr., National Wildland Fire Coordinator for the International Association of Fire Chiefs
WHAT:
Release of the Final Phase of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy
WHEN:
Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at 2:30 pm EDT
MEDIA:
Media wishing to participate in the news conference should call 1-888-391-7047 and provide the access code WILDFIRE.
Source: Department of Interior
