Wyoming’s Interim State Forester Testifies at Legislative Hearing on Wildfire Risk

The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing Thursday to examine the federal response to escalating wildfires and to evaluate reforms to land management and wildland firefighter recruitment and retention. U.S. Senator John Barrasso, ranking member of the Committee, said western states are again bracing for what will likely be another devastating wildfire season this summer.

Barrasso said America’s wildfire crisis will continue to escalate until our forests are properly managed.

Barrasso also welcomed Wyoming Interim State Forester Kelly Norris to the committee hearing. Norris said there are many agencies involved in coordinating wildfire response efforts in Wyoming.

Also during her testimony, Norris highlighted the importance of active forest management by saying that active management, including intentional harvesting, hazard fuel treatments, and prescribed fire can better protect our forests and the communities that depend on them.