WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Environment, chaired by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), announced today a hearing for Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled, “Air Quality Impacts of Wildfires: Mitigation and Management Strategies."
In light of the devastating wildfires ravaging the West this summer, #SubEnvironment will examine the impacts that wildfire smoke has on public health and local communities, and the air quality impacts from wildfire emissions. Members will also look at how increasing forest management activities, such as prescribed burns and mechanical thinning, can reduce the severity and size of future wildfires.
“Oregonians and people across the West are suffering through yet another summer of air-choking smoke from wildfires," said Energy and Commerce Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR). “As a result, families are trapped in their homes and breathing through masks, local businesses are taking a hit financially, and we have been robbed of the enjoyment of Oregon’s outdoors. I hear one message loud and clear from concerned citizens throughout my district whose communities have been blanketed with smoke: something needs to change. This hearing will call attention to the impact of wildfire smoke on our health, and examine improvements that can be made to the way we manage our forests to help prevent the unnaturally catastrophic wildfires season that we are battling once again."
“When catastrophic wildfires break out, like some of the ones experienced in the United States this summer, understanding the environmental impacts and potential health effects from exposure to wildfire smoke is critical," said #SubEnvironment Chairman Shimkus. “Next week’s hearing will provide Members the opportunity to learn how uncontrolled wildfires are impacting the quality of the air we breathe and what we can do to prevent or minimize future fires.
Background
In October 2017, the Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing on the impacts of wildfires on air quality and air emissions, particularly from the perspective of key stakeholders.
The Majority Memorandum, witness testimony, and live webcast will be made available as they are posted on the committee’s website HERE.
