Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Wildland firefighter program in peril
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Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Wildland firefighters and researchers conduct a prescribed burn in the Tuolumne Experimental forest; Credit: USFS, Flickr ([link removed])
From severe staffing issues to outdated planning processes, the U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighting program is in need of drastic changes ([link removed]) . That's according to a first-of-its-kind report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture ([link removed]) , which is the parent organization of the Forest Service.
The report includes nearly 150 recommendations ([link removed]) , including increasing the use of prescribed burns to reduce the risk of megafires, improving community resiliency through fire-smart construction and retrofitting, modernizing tools and technology used to fight fire, and increasing pay and resources for firefighters and other staff.
The wildland firefighting program has long struggled with employee recruitment and retention. And while there has been some movement in Congress ([link removed]) to permanently increase pay for wildland firefighters following a temporary hourly pay raise in the 2021 Infrastructure Law ([link removed]) , dispatchers say they are being left out. A recent investigation by High Country News ([link removed]) found there is a severe shortage of wildland fire dispatchers in Region 6, which covers Oregon and Washington. It found a lack of mental health resources and inadequate pay are driving the shortage, which
threatens the functionality of the entire wildland firefighting program.
“We are dealing with just as much shit, if not more, than the folks on the line,” an anonymous dispatcher told High Country News ([link removed]) .“Take care of us. That is all we ask.”
** Quick hits
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Fat Bear Week is here. Meet Katmai’s top contenders
Washington Post ([link removed])
The last chunk of state land in Grand Teton National Park could go up for auction soon
WyoFile ([link removed])
Study: Carbon sequestration projects that don’t prioritize biodiversity may do more harm than good
Inside Climate News ([link removed])
Utah missed out on millions in royalties from oil and gas, group argues
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Poll: Americans are fine with living near solar and wind farms
Washington Post ([link removed])
Arizona moves to end lease for controversial Saudi-owned farm
Arizona Republic ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed])
Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho wants to give wolves to Colorado
9News ([link removed])
Is the middle class being priced out of Yellowstone?
Montana Free Press ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” I’m not afraid to do what my predecessors refused to do—hold people accountable, maximize value for the state land trust, and protect Arizona’s water future... It’s unacceptable that Fondomonte has continued to pump unchecked amounts of groundwater out of our state while in clear default on their lease.”
—Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Arizona Republi ([link removed]) c ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@KatmaiNPS ([link removed])
#FatBearWeek ([link removed]) begins tomorrow! Presenting your Champions of Chomp & wide-load warriors! These bulging beasts will battle it out to see who you will crown the biggest belly on Brooks River!
New bear bracket just dropped. Fill out your bracket before the competition heats up.🔥
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