Obama, Vilsack mourn western state fire fighters
August 20, 2015 |05:56 PM
Following the reports late Wednesday of the deaths of three U.S. Forest Service firefighters near Twisp, Wash., the White House and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued statements mourning their deaths and acknowledging the fires.
“The president was updated this evening on the wildfires plaguing the American West, including the tragic loss of three Washington State firefighters who selflessly battled these fires," Eric Schultz, deputy White House press secretary said in a statement provided late Wednesday to the reporters covering the Obama family’s stay on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.
"On behalf of a grateful nation, the president’s thoughts and prayers are with the families of these brave Americans," Schultz said.
“The president directed his team to stay in close touch with state and local officials as their efforts to fight these fires continue. Administration officials will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide federal assistance as necessary.”
Today Vilsack noted that, in addition to the firefighters who lost their lives, another U.S. Forest Service firefighter and two Washington State Department of Natural Resources firefighters are hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
“We mourn the loss of the brave firefighters whose commitment to duty was so deep that they gave their own lives to protect others,” Vilsack said. “We also extend our profound sympathies to the families and loved ones of the fallen, whose sacrifices are equally worthy of honor, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who are recovering from injuries sustained in the line of duty.”
“As we press on through an extraordinarily challenging wildfire season, we are reminded yet again of the perils our firefighters face as they protect communities from wildfire,” Vilsack said.
“Our firefighting personnel have been particularly hard hit this year and we've lost several lives. We continue to mourn for them and offer support to their families. On behalf of the American people, thank you to those who keep us safe.”
In a statement issued late today, Vilsack noted that he and Interior Secretary Sally Jewell worry that the fire season will intensify over the next few weeks, but said they will use every resource to protect the forests and people.
“Climate change, drought, fuel buildup, insects and disease are increasing the severity of unprecedented wildfire in America’s forests and rangelands, which impacts the safety of people, homes and communities,” Vilsack said.
"Development close to forests has also increased the threat to property, with more than 46 million homes in the United States, or about 40 percent of our nation's housing, potentially at risk from wildfire.”
“We are expending in excess of $150 million per week on fire suppression activities, and that will likely grow in the days and weeks ahead,” he said. "Well over 26,000 firefighters and support personnel from federal, state and local agencies are deployed, along with 28 next generation and legacy air tankers, and additional aviation assets. We are now working with the U.S. military and foreign partners, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, to bring in additional resources.”
Vilsack noted that “there are more firefighters on the ground today fighting fires than at any time in the nation’s history. They work nights, weekends and holidays under difficult circumstances.”
“While we do everything we can to reduce risk and ensure their safety, our firefighting personnel have been particularly hard hit this year,“ Vilsack said. “We’ve now lost seven precious lives over the course of this fire season, including three firefighters who perished just yesterday in Washington, and many more have been injured in the line of duty. We mourn for those lost, offer support to their families and loved ones, and pray for the continued recovery of those injured.
"Secretary Jewell and I not only share common concerns for the safety of our firefighting crews, but also share a common goal of restoring resilient forests and protecting against future fire outbreaks. Over the next few weeks, we anticipate the fire season will continue to intensify, putting lives and property at risk. As the fire season endures, we will continue to employ every available resource to protect our nation's forests, our families and our communities.”
“The president was updated this evening on the wildfires plaguing the American West, including the tragic loss of three Washington State firefighters who selflessly battled these fires," Eric Schultz, deputy White House press secretary said in a statement provided late Wednesday to the reporters covering the Obama family’s stay on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.
"On behalf of a grateful nation, the president’s thoughts and prayers are with the families of these brave Americans," Schultz said.
“The president directed his team to stay in close touch with state and local officials as their efforts to fight these fires continue. Administration officials will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide federal assistance as necessary.”
Today Vilsack noted that, in addition to the firefighters who lost their lives, another U.S. Forest Service firefighter and two Washington State Department of Natural Resources firefighters are hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
“We mourn the loss of the brave firefighters whose commitment to duty was so deep that they gave their own lives to protect others,” Vilsack said. “We also extend our profound sympathies to the families and loved ones of the fallen, whose sacrifices are equally worthy of honor, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who are recovering from injuries sustained in the line of duty.”
“As we press on through an extraordinarily challenging wildfire season, we are reminded yet again of the perils our firefighters face as they protect communities from wildfire,” Vilsack said.
“Our firefighting personnel have been particularly hard hit this year and we've lost several lives. We continue to mourn for them and offer support to their families. On behalf of the American people, thank you to those who keep us safe.”
In a statement issued late today, Vilsack noted that he and Interior Secretary Sally Jewell worry that the fire season will intensify over the next few weeks, but said they will use every resource to protect the forests and people.
“Climate change, drought, fuel buildup, insects and disease are increasing the severity of unprecedented wildfire in America’s forests and rangelands, which impacts the safety of people, homes and communities,” Vilsack said.
"Development close to forests has also increased the threat to property, with more than 46 million homes in the United States, or about 40 percent of our nation's housing, potentially at risk from wildfire.”
“We are expending in excess of $150 million per week on fire suppression activities, and that will likely grow in the days and weeks ahead,” he said. "Well over 26,000 firefighters and support personnel from federal, state and local agencies are deployed, along with 28 next generation and legacy air tankers, and additional aviation assets. We are now working with the U.S. military and foreign partners, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, to bring in additional resources.”
Vilsack noted that “there are more firefighters on the ground today fighting fires than at any time in the nation’s history. They work nights, weekends and holidays under difficult circumstances.”
“While we do everything we can to reduce risk and ensure their safety, our firefighting personnel have been particularly hard hit this year,“ Vilsack said. “We’ve now lost seven precious lives over the course of this fire season, including three firefighters who perished just yesterday in Washington, and many more have been injured in the line of duty. We mourn for those lost, offer support to their families and loved ones, and pray for the continued recovery of those injured.
"Secretary Jewell and I not only share common concerns for the safety of our firefighting crews, but also share a common goal of restoring resilient forests and protecting against future fire outbreaks. Over the next few weeks, we anticipate the fire season will continue to intensify, putting lives and property at risk. As the fire season endures, we will continue to employ every available resource to protect our nation's forests, our families and our communities.”
