WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Risch (R-Idaho) released the following statement on President Trump’s Executive Order Empowering Commonsense Wildfire Prevention and Response.

“Idahoans are all too familiar with catastrophic wildfires that devastate our communities every year,” said Risch.“President Trump’s actions to streamline federal regulations, strengthen local partnerships, and increase the use of proven mitigation strategies is a significant opportunity to reduce fire risk.”

Senator Risch, as a trained forester, has long sought to create meaningful, effective policies to build healthier, more resilient forests; better fight fires; and aid the communities hurt by these disasters. Senator Risch has also encouraged the federal government to utilize prescribed fires and other innovative fuel management strategies to reduce the risk of future catastrophic wildfires.