Tester Calls on FEMA, Congress to Act as Montana Wildfires Rage

Senator: Give Montana’s Firefighters the Resources they Need

(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester took to the Senate floor today to call on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Congress to help out first responders across Montana who are fighting wildfires throughout the state.

“Across Montana, over 250,000 acres have already burned and many of these fires continue to rage,” Tester said. “Montana’s communities are strong, tight-knit, and always persevere, but they expect more from their government. Fires are a devastating natural disaster and should be treated that way.”

Tester called on Congress to treat wildfires like any other natural disaster so responders can tap emergency funding in order to fight them.

Earlier today, Tester spoke to Garfield County commissioners who requested additional resources from FEMA. After FEMA’s regional administrator denied emergency funding for Montana after Governor Steve Bullock’s emergency declaration Sunday, Tester today called FEMA Administrator Brock Long to request additional resources for Montana.

“As these brave communities and firefighters work around the clock, it’s time for FEMA to be accountable to Montana and for Congress to help out,” Tester said. “We can do that by fixing how we fund firefighting.”

Tester offered his thoughts and prayers for the first responders and Montanans affected by these fires.

Any Montanan impacted by the wildfires across the state should reach out to Tester’s office for help receiving federal assistance.