Congressman Neguse to Hold Hearing on Wildfires in His Subcommittee

Addressing Colorado’s wildfires is a key piece of Congressman Neguse’s “Restoring Our Lands and Communities” Agenda

Washington D.C.— On Thursday, April 29, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. MDT, the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands, Chaired by Congressman Joe Neguse, will hold a virtual, fully remote oversight hearing titled, “Wildfire in a Warming World: Opportunities to Improve Community Collaboration, Climate Resilience, and Workforce Capacity.”

“Colorado’s record-breaking wildfire season in 2020 has only highlighted the urgent need to invest in wildfire resiliency and recovery and equip our wildland firefighters as they work to protect our communities,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. “As Chair of the National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus, I am focused on finding science-based solutions that will restore and protect our Colorado communities, that includes my 21st Century Civilian Climate Corps proposal which would make historic investments to tackle wildfires and restore our forests and would create a multi-billion dollar fund to create new jobs supporting these efforts. At this week’s hearing we will hear from individuals on the frontlines of these wildfires and discuss opportunities for community collaboration, climate resilience and workforce capacity.”

View the live stream link here.

Witnesses include:

• Courtney Schultz, Associate Professor of Forest & Natural Resource Policy, Director of the Public Lands Policy Group at CSU, Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Colorado State University
• Beverly Law, Professor Emeritus, Global Change Biology & Terrestrial Systems Science, Oregon State University
• Riva Duncan, Executive Secretary, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, Fire Staff Officer, U.S. Forest Service, Umpqua National Forest (Retired)

Background

As Colorado experienced a devastating and record-breaking wildfire season in 2020, Congressman Neguse has worked in close coordination with local firefighters and emergency management officials to ensure that communities in the 2nd Congressional District have the federal funds they need to contain these fires and recover. Congressman Neguse helped secure FEMA funds for containment efforts of the CalWood, East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fires. In January, Congressman Neguse helped secure a disaster declaration designation for Colorado’s wildfires to bring in more resources for the state.

Congressman Neguse has also advocated for better pay, benefits and safety measures to support Colorado firefighters. In April 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified, Congressman Neguse was successful in ensuring firefighters and first responders be given priority for COVID-19 tests. Congressman Neguse has introduced a proposal to create a reimagined 21st Century Civilian Conservation Corps which would make major investments in wildfire resiliency and mitigation efforts, as well as major investments in conservation and forest restoration and provide a multi-billion dollar fund to create jobs in forest management and wildfire suppression.

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