NE New Mexico News

WASHINGTON – On April 26, 2023 , Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández secured The United States Forest Service’s (USFS) commitment to work with her and the GAO to implement the GAO’s recommendations to improve prescribed burn management. Rep. Leger Fernández questioned USFS Chief Randy Moore during today’s Federal Lands Subcommittee hearing on the FY 2024 budget request for the USFS.

Although Chief Moore did not issue an apology on behalf of the Forest Service for its actions in causing the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire last year, he did commit to use all the resources needed at prescribed burns, including drones, to make sure the fire is out.

She also questioned Chief Moore on how the House Republicans’ proposed reductions would lead to life-threatening cuts to the agency’s firefighting capacity, robbing firefighters of the wages they deserve, and preventing the agency from combating the issue of our time – climate change.

Rep. Leger Fernández also asked Chief Moore to submit a reply in writing, outlining how the Forest Service will coordinate with other agencies to make sure all lands - including private lands - that burned are rehabilitated to protect homes and property from resultant flooding.

Watch the recording of the hearing including the Congresswoman’s remarks HERE, starting around the 41:00 mark.

Original source can be found here.