DENVER – On Tuesday, June 9, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell will discuss the growing threat of catastrophic wildfires in the United States – particularly in the West – and announce preparations by both agencies in advance of the 2015 wildfire season. Officials will also discuss the National Cohesive Strategy to foster resilient landscapes and work with communities and partners to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires.
Ongoing drought and the effects of climate change have combined to increase the risk of wildfires across Western landscapes. Last month, Secretary Jewell released a comprehensive, science-based strategy to address the increasing threat of wildfires that are damaging vital sagebrush landscapes and productive rangelands in the West. In addition, the President's fiscal year 2016 budget proposes a special disaster relief cap adjustment to fund the most severe fires and treat extreme fire seasons like other natural disasters.
Who
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Tom Vilsack, U. S. Secretary of Agriculture
Tom Tidwell, Chief, United States Forest Service
What
2015 wildfire season outlook and preparedness discussion
When
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
2:00 p.m. MDT - Media check-in
2:15 p.m. MDT - Press conference
3:15 p.m. MDT - Conference call
Where
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
6550 Gateway Road
Commerce City, CO 80022
Media
Credentialed members of the media are encouraged to RSVP here.
Following the press conference, a conference call will be hosted for media who can't attend the event but want to cover it and ask questions. Media may participate in the news teleconference by dialing 1-888-996-4915 and providing the access code FIRE SEASON. Please note this call begins at 3:15 p.m. MDT.
Source: Department of Interior
