Gianforte Leads House in Focusing Attention on Wildfires

Press Release

Montana Congressman Greg Gianforte led an effort on the House floor to draw attention to wildfires and the need for forest management reforms.

Following another devastating wildfire season throughout the country, Gianforte organized lawmakers to address how catastrophic wildfires have impacted their communities and how reforms can reduce the risk of severe wildfires.

"Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleagues bringing the attention of this Chamber to wildfires and the need for forest management reform," Gianforte said.

"Like my colleagues, I urge the Senate to act on commonsense measures this Chamber has sent so that Montanans can spend a summer in their forests, enjoying them, not having to breathe them at home," Gianforte said.

Gianforte highlighted the destruction caused by wildfires in Montana and across the country. Gianforte, who met with firefighters and incident commanders at five fires in 2017, surveyed the Howe Ridge Fire in August. The fire in Glacier National Park has claimed 27 structures and cost an estimated $13.6 million to fight.

"The Howe Ridge Fire in Glacier National Park consumed over 14,000 acres. I was there. I saw the devastation. It destroyed homes on the shores of Lake McDonald. These are historic national buildings lost to fire," Gianforte said.

Gianforte also highlighted efforts in the House to enact meaningful forest management reforms with the Resilient Federal Forests Act, a measure Gianforte cosponsored which passed the House last November. After nearly a year, the Senate has yet to consider the bill.

"The legislation provides commonsense reforms that will benefit our forests, economy, and the environment," said Gianforte. "Conservation organizations, foresters, stakeholders, and local leaders throughout Montana recognize the need for reforms to get us managing our forests again."

Reps. John Curtis (Utah), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), and Glenn "GT" Thompson (Penn.) joined Gianforte. The members talked about the impact of wildfires in their districts as well as the critical need for forest management reforms to improve forest health and public safety.

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