Washington, D.C. – On Friday, U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) toured the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, Idaho with Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, heads of the two largest public land agencies in the U.S. Following the tour and meeting, Zinke and Perdue signed a memorandum emphasizing cooperation among federal, state, tribal and local agencies in battling wildfires.

Photo courtesy of Secretary Sonny Perdue's office

“I am grateful to Secretary Zinke and Secretary Perdue for their early interest in collaborative, proactive wildfire management efforts,” said Senator Risch. “As we prepare for another fire season, it is important to take steps now that will put Idaho on improved footing and ensure that those protecting our communities have the resources necessary to prevent and manage wildfires. Sitting with these two men and listening to how they talk about land management and wildfires is 180 degrees different from the last administration. I look forward to working with them and am thankful for their visit.”

In the U.S. Senate, Risch has sponsored legislation to provide for more efficient and effective fire management. The legislation would better limit the reallocation of resources away from fire prevention and hazardous fuels reduction projects, which reduce the cycle of costly fires, and help cover the under-budgeted and growing cost of fire suppression.