BOISE, IDAHO – On Tuesday, Jan. 3, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will travel to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Idaho as she continues a nationwide tour highlighting Interior's progress for managing America's public lands, water and wildlife. Secretary Jewell will receive briefings on the 2016 fire season and discuss efforts to increase wildfire resilience across the country. Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Janice Schneider will also attend.
While there, Secretary Jewell will also receive an update on implementation of her Secretarial Order 3336, Rangeland Fire Prevention, Management, and Restoration. Issued in January 2015, the Order calls for the development of a comprehensive, science-based strategy to reduce the size, severity and cost of rangeland fires; address the spread of cheat grass and other invasive species; and position wildland fire management resources for more effective rangeland fire response.
As fire seasons continue to burn hotter, drier and longer, Secretary Jewell will also highlight the need for greater collaborative action to enhance community resilience against these risks and strengthen federal firefighter safety and preparedness. Secretary Jewell has called on Congress to fix how the federal government budgets for wildland fire suppression by treating extreme fire seasons in the same way as other emergency disasters.
Who:
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Janice Schneider, Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management
Ron Dunton, Bureau of Land Management, Assistant Director, Fire and Aviation
What:
2016 Wildland Fire Season Briefing and Media Availability
When:
Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017
9:30 a.m. MST – Media Availability
Where:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)
3833 Development Avenue
Boise, Idaho 83705
Media:
Credentialed members of the media who are interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP here.
Source: Department of Interior
