Some 21 outdoor organizations, including OIA, SFIA, the NSSF and ASA, have written to Congressional majority and minority leaders to stop using funds meant for maintaining and developing the outdoor infrastructure to fight forest fires. “Action is needed now to provide stability for long-term wildfire mitigation practices and to protect other vital public interests in our nation’s forests. Using 10-year average suppression costs for budgeting constrains non-suppression federal agency efforts, including recreation.”

The letter asserts that fighting wildfires has been steadily rising as a percentage of the Department of Agriculture budget, costing more than $2.3 billion this year. That has reduced ... Log in to view full article.