In the wake of the Lava Fire in California this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom is meeting with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris Wednesday morning to discuss strategies for handling increasing wildfire risks.
Along with Newsom, the meeting will include Governors from other Western states, Cabinet officials and private sector partners. The administration’s expressed goal is to strengthen prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response efforts.
President Biden and Vice President Harris Deliver Remarks and Convene Cabinet Officials, Governors, and Private Sector Partners to Discuss the Devastating Intersection of Drought, Heat, and Wildfires in the Western United States, and Strengthening Prevention, Preparedness and Response Efforts for this Wildfire Season.
Since 2015, the United States has experienced, on average, roughly 100 more large wildfires every year than the year before – and this wildfire season is already outpacing last season in terms of the number of large fires to date.
"We know this is becoming a regular cycle," Biden said in a press briefing before the meeting. "And we know it’s getting worse."
"The truth is, we’re playing catch up," said Biden. "This is an area that has been under-resourced, but that’s going to change if we have anything to do with it."
Biden will also highlight the need to invest in wildfire prevention and risk mitigation efforts, including the nearly $50 billion in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework.
"The mutual aid system was stretched in this country," said Newsom, who joined the meeting virtually from Siskiyou County near the ongoing Lava Fire. Last summer, California had to call in firefighters and emergency responders from Canada, even Israel, to supplement their resources, he said.
"We need to really invest in our human resources," he said. Newsom expressed gratitude that the meeting was taking place, "for recognizing this moment of urgency, situationally, but the sustainable mindset to start thinking anew."
The officials will discuss options to bolster emergency responders, including increasing firefighter pay, extending the hiring of temporary firefighters, and continuing transitions to a more permanent firefighting workforce.
In terms of federal aid, the administration is proposing to provide 15,000 Federal firefighters with surge capacity, train and equip military personnel to be ready to respond to wildfires, increase aviation aid, and provide financial support.
The administration plans to invest $30 billion in extreme wildfire protection for the 2022 budget.
Related
