USDA's New Wildfire Plan Crafted After Tester Passed Forest Service Budget

Senator was only Member of Delegation to Vote for Key Legislation Paving the Way for Better Forest Management

(U.S. Senate)-The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today a new plan to better combat wildfires, based on legislation that U.S. Senator Jon Tester voted for and helped pass earlier this year.

The bipartisan 2018 government funding agreement contained language expanding the Forest Service’s ability to cut timber and maintain roads and trails, paving the way for today’s new wildfire plan.

“This plan is a direct result of the bipartisan bill we passed earlier this year,” said Tester, who was the only member of Montana’s delegation to vote for it. “As Montana battles another intense and expensive wildfire season, we must ensure firefighters have the resources they need to protect life and property. This plan will spur better forest management and strengthen our state’s outdoor economy.”

The 2018 budget agreement also fixed the way the Forest Service pays to fight wildfires, allowing them to be treated like other natural disasters.

More about Tester’s work to combat wildfires can be found HERE.