Virginia Cramer, Virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- The Forest Service today released a new forest management strategy for wildfire. The strategy has a strong emphasis on science and climate change, and calls for prescribed fire and other proven safety measures. In contrast, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke is continuing his media tour on current wildfires, but focusing on inflammatory language, denying climate change’s role depending on the outlet he’s speaking to, and exploiting the ongoing fires striking communities across the West to push his and Donald Trump’s political agenda.
In response, Associate Legislative Director for Lands and Wildlife Kirin Kennedy released the following statement:
“It’s a breath of fresh air to see science, instead of politics, inserted into forest and fire management. We know that climate is changing fire season; we know that focusing on defensible space around buildings can limit damage; we know that allowing fire to function naturally is good for our forests and communities. The longer Ryan Zinke continues to ignore these facts the greater the risks to homes and families.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.