Secretary Vilsack and Jewell Outline Wildfire Threat for Upcoming Fire Season

Late last week, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced above average fire activity for the 2015 wildfire season.

Joined by U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, the three highlighted the growing threat of catastrophic wildfires in drought-stricken areas of the West this year and called for reforms in the way the federal government funds wildfire suppression efforts. Additionally, Secretary Jewell announced a partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the veteran-based organization Team Rubicon to provide wildland firefighter training to assist in wildland firefighting efforts this fire season.