Dear Friends,

Recently, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released an independent report into the U.S. Forest Service’s prescribed burn protocols. This independent investigation, which I secured in June 2022, comes two years in the wake of the devastating Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire in northern New Mexico, the largest and most destructive in the state's history.

What It Found

The GAO report, released on July 8, uncovered major mistakes in the Forest Service’s handling of past prescribed burns that escaped including:

• Using a prescribed burn plan with the wrong type of vegetation or that didn’t consider drought impacts. 
• Using weather forecasts not specific to the site.
• Having insufficient trained staff and resources available. 

• Develop outcome-oriented goals and performance measures.
• Develop and implement a strategic workforce plan.
• Develop an implementation plan for its reform efforts.
• Assess the appropriate level of resources to maintain day-to-day management of reform efforts.

My Thoughts

This GAO investigation makes clear that the Forest Service still has work to do so no community suffers like New Mexicans did after prescribed burns sparked the catastrophic Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. The errors the GAO uncovered—like including incorrect vegetation in a burn plan—are outrageous. The Forest Service must do better to prevent future tragedies.

I secured a commitment from the Forest Service to use infrared technology to make sure burns are totally extinguished. We all know you should not walk away from a smoldering campfire. However, the Forest Service walked away from Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon-like burns. Infrared technology would have warned them to stay until the coals were cold. I will keep working for increased funding for that technology as well as for higher pay for firefighters. Finally, I will continue to hold the Forest Service accountable to prevent another escaped burn. When you play with fire, there’s no margin for error.

Background of Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fires 

In April 2022, two prescribed burns conducted by the Forest Service escaped and merged into the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon fire. A third prescribed burn was responsible for the Cerro Pelado fire in the spring of 2022. These fires led to a nationwide 90-day pause on prescribed burns while the Forest Service conducted an internal review. 

On June 2, 2022, I requested the GAO to conduct an independent investigation into the Forest Service’s prescribed burn protocols and review the implementation of action items from their internal review. 

The report did not include data from the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon fires due to ongoing litigation.

I remain committed to ensuring that the lessons learned from these tragic events lead to meaningful improvements in forest management practices to protect communities and our forests.