Issue Position: Forest Fires

Issue Position

After the devastating Yarnell Fire in 2013, which took the lives of 19 of our young firefighters, it is quite apparent how necessary proscribed clearing is to the health of our natural environment and our community. As a former helicopter tanker pilot who fought fires for over ten years throughout the southwestern United States, I know the danger that our firefighters face and will do all that is in my power as your elected State Representative to provide any and all resources that our brave men and women firefighters need to protect us from the danger of forest fires. Forest fires are also a national security issue. It does not take much imagination to envision a few well placed incendiaries to ignite the entire West on fire. My proposal is to ensure that the State of Arizona has its own dedicated aviation resources to quickly attack any fire that is reported. This can be accomplished by the purchase of three to six medium fixed wing tankers by the State of Arizona. These aircraft are manufactured in Arizona, creating Arizona jobs. These aircraft, when not needed in Arizona, could be leased out to other States on a temporary basis as needed.

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