Wildfire year response and Recovery Efforts will come to order. Thank you for joining with the deputy chief for forestry at usda. After brief opening remarks, the hearing will open to questions. Members will be recognized in order of seniority, alternating between the majority and minority members. When you are recognized, youll be asked to unmute your microphone, and youll have five minutes to ask your question and or make a comment. In order to get as many questions as possible, the timer will stay consistently visible on your screen. Thank you for joining us here today in washington and online. For this critical hearing on the wildfires ravaging the western United States. We have all seen the footage from california, oregon and washington. It is surreal, and it is terrifying. I want to talk today about what we can do to meet the needs and face the challenges presented by this unprecedented wildfire season out west and elsewhere. Deputy chief phipps, thank you for joining us today and for this important discussion. I appreciate everything you and the Forest Service do and did to accommodate our request on such short notice. And i do not want to take any more than a minimum of your focus away from the importance of fighting wildfires in communities across our country. The Forest Service recently lost one of its own fighting a wildfire in southern california. I ask before we continue we pause for a moment of silence for him and for all of those we have lost to wildfires this year. [moment of silence] as we speak, there are over 70 large fires, ranging over 5 million acres in the southeast, the south, the Rocky Mountains, the Pacific Northwest and california. For some perspective, that is the equivalent of 5 million football fields, 1 million Major League Baseball fields, or 2. 5 million typical city blocks that are currently burning. There are more than 31,000 firefighters and support personnel on the ground waging this battle. And we have to keep their safety and their needs foremost in our minds. We even have firefighting staff from canada and mexico supporting the heroic efforts of u. S. Forestry staff. Who are working under very dangerous and trying circumstances, in addition to a Public Health crisis unlike anything we have seen in 100 years. Our communities are trying to manage wildfire evacuations during covid19 and protect the electric grid during extreme heat and wildfire among other challenges, and yet as , unprecedented as this moment is, im reminded another moment in history when americans also faced great difficulty and hardship. During the 1930s, at the height of the dustbowl that ravaged the great lands in much of the United States there was a sense that congress did not understand the severity of the problems facing americas farmers and families living in the midst of environmental crisis. And despite the demands for action during the dust storms congress failed to act in a , comprehensive manner. It was not until march 1935 that lawmakers were forced to see it and experience it with their own eyes. That compromise could be reached i what became the First Federal conservation bill, the Soil Conservation and domestic allotment act of 1936. In the three years that followed its passage, soil erosion dropped by more than 20 . I can only imagine what hardship could have been averted if acted when they first understood. I want to beyears clear for all of those here and listening virtual today it shouldnt take the ash of wildfires and debris of and floodwaters floodwaters ravaging the coast and severe heat felt across the globe on a daily basis reaching the Capitol Steps for congress to take action on the environmental action. Climate change is here, it is real. And the failure of this committee or any committee to take action will have real human costs. Still, i do not mean to suggest that there are other factors that have contributed to these wildfires. We know that many factors are involved in the current wildfires and wildfire risk. And that certainly includes housing and development on forested land, Forest Management decisions, resources, fire management, weather events like the historic Lightning Storm that struck california in august. The actions of people. The use of pyrotechnic devices , and the list unfortunately continues. I expect that after this fire year, we will look to learn from what has happened have a robust , policy discussion and debate and do everything in our power to prevent such a drastic situation from happening in the future. Today, were here to Work Together on the emergencies that face us right now. That is part of what i enjoy most about this subcommittee. We focus on how we can Work Together on behalf of our constituents. And this subcommittee is here to learn about what is happening since we last spoke in july about the 2020 wildfire season. What you expect to happen as it thes could and to explore how we can work with you to protect our communities from wildfires this season. I look forward to that discussion for our continued Work Together on the issues related to the u. S. Forest service. I look forward to the discussions about how we can continue the important work with you, through the farm bill and annual cycle to resolve the health and resilience of our National Forests, which are the economic drivers in small communities across the country. Thank you very much. In consultation with the Ranking Member and pursuant to rule 11e, i want to make members of the subcommittee aware that other members of the full committee may join together, may join us today. Id like to now welcome Ranking Member mr. Lamotha for his opening statement. Rep. Lamalfa thank you, chair spanberger. I really appreciate the effort for this hearing today on this very, very important subject, as well as the participation of the subcommittee committees and the full Committee Members that want to take part and weigh in. Its extremely important. Before i really begin though, i think its important we recognize the life and legacy of ag former chairman of the committee, former chairman bob smith. And right in the back, theres a candle burning for him and a small picture, as well. His large portrait hangs in 1302. Bob was a family man, a team roamer and cattle man from oregon. He loved this institution and understood working across the aisle is the best way to succeed as we all should know. Bob was a politicians politician, and many sought his quiet counsel. He appreciated the hard work and staff and understood. He was a credit to his committee and house of representatives. He faithfully served in oregons Second District from 1983 to 1995 and again from 1997 to 99. And between 1997 in 1999, chairman smith, that was his tenure as the chairman of the house ag committee. Andre proud of his service, my prayers do out to his family during this time. Thanks again, chair spanberger, as you know. As you mentioned, this year, states have experienced yet another catastrophic fire season with 7 million acres burned in california. 3. 6 acres burned so far. Im afraid future fire seasons will only get worse unless we dramatically improve the management and health of our National Forest system. In fact, the Forest Service has identified nearly 50 of the 193 million acres of the National Forestry system is currently at high risk of wildfire or likely to be impacted by insecond and disease outbreaks. At current pace, it will take the Forest Service nearly 30 years to treat these acres. Our National Forests are facing an epidemic of declining health , which is in direct correlation policies which have led to dramatic decrease in management. Even on portions of the national outside of the roadless and wilderness areas. In recent years, congress has addressed fire borrowing with of funding mix and has attempted to streamline Forest Management. While theres not a single policy decision to solving wildfires, it is clear our piecemeal approach is not nearly enough. Nearly two years ago, california experienced the most deadly wildfire on record when the camp fire in the paradise area took 85 lives and destroyed the town of paradise, as well as outlying areas of magalia and yankee hill and conk out. At that time, congress should have been reacted. They were conferencing the 2018 farm bill, and we had an opportunity to adapt a number of bipartisan house decisions that would have protected further life and property from wildfires to create input from u. S. Forest service under both the obama and trump administrations. However, despite good faith efforts by the Republican Farm bill conferrees, the Senate Democrats refused to even discuss these critical reforms. Healthy reforms require healthy management in the way of prescribe fires and other activities to make sure they do not become overgrown tinderboxes as we see now. To address acres takes years and years, and these delays harm the acres were trying to protect. For instance, the 2018 fuels reduction act in the sierra National Forest had a proposed treatment area of 12,000 acres to respond to tree mortality and remove fuels along roads. To my knowledge, there was no litigation that delayed the project. Yet, analysis took nearly two years to the day to complete. Unfortunately, these easily identified fireprone acres were consumed in the creek fire before the restoration work had could even begin. We can address these issues with common sense approaches that benefit both our forest and rural communities. There are many ideas we can bring to the table and act on immediately. One example is hr 7978, the emergency wildfire safety act. I am proud to have worked with my colleague, representative panetta, to introduce the bill to help protect from catastrophic wildfires and implement common sense management reforms that will help prevent the fires in the future. While this is a good start, more work will be needed. Congress could consider any number of individual authorities from Bipartisan Legislation such as categorical exclusions for salvage to address landscape scale mortality events caused by wildfire, insect infestation and disease and droughts. I encourage my colleagues to take action on these ideas and others without delay. We are indeed fortunate to have mr. John phipps from the Forest Service. Hes the deputy chiefs of state and private forestry testify for us today. We appreciate that. We hope to hear about his experience with wildfire issues what tools the Forest Service , has at its disposal and what , tools are needed further to prevent and suppress wildfires. Before i yield back, id like to take a moment to thank our forest firefighters and our other First Responders that are currently at risk and those already as mentioned have given their lives to protect our forests, homes and communities. We are, indeed, forever grateful to their service, and i hope todays Service Makes their jobs easier in the future. Thank you, madam chair. Back to you. Chair spanberger the chair would request that other members submit their Opening Statements for the record so witnesses may begin their testimony and to ensure that there is ample time for questions. Id like to welcome our witness. Thank you for being here today. Mr. Phipps began his role as deputy chief of state and private forestry at usdas Forest Service isnt 2019. Career with the Forest Service in 1976 and has since held a variety of roles within the agency. Prior to his current position, mr. Phipps served as the station director for the Rocky Mountain research station from 2015 to 2019. We will now proceed to hear your testimony. You will have five minutes. When one minute is left, the light will turn yellow, signaling the time is close to expiring, and you should be able to see a clock ticking down on one of these boxes on the screen before you. So, mr. Phipps, please begin whenever you are ready. Mr. Phipps good afternoon, everyone. Chair spanberger, Ranking Member, and members of the committee, im proud to be representing the Forest Service today as a career professional forester with decades of experience dedicated to our mission of stewarding americas forest and grasslands for current and future generations. I have experience as a firefighter, land manager, research leader, and Senior Executive currently leading the agency state and private Forestry Programs including fire and aviation management. My testimony will outline the current status of Forest Service response to wildfires, the efforts that we have ongoing to take care of our employees and communities before, during and after fires occur. Our nation is enduring a devastating wildfire year, one that has cut destructive swaths through states like california, oregon, washington, colorado, and arizona and made more difficult by the ongoing covid19 pandemic. As of september 19, there have been almost 43,000 fires that have burned more than 7. 2 million acres across all jurisdictions. In addition to homes and property damage, these fires have taken lives throughout the country. We are mourning the tragic loss of charlie morton, big bear hot shot squad boss, who died last thursday in california while fighting the el dorado fire on the San BernardinoNational Forest. Charlies Memorial Service is tomorrow in San Bernardino. Its an understatement to say that this is an unprecedented year. Numerous large fires since midaugust have been in and around very large communities and developed areas across california and the Pacific Northwest. Smoke impacts have been horrendous and widespread across the western United States. One of the most notable challenges this year is the number of fires taking place at the same time, which has stretched us thin. Since august 18 through today, the demand for fire resources is exceeded supply across the system. As with any fire year, it takes all partners, federal, state and local government, tribal, contractors, and volunteers to respond. We all Work Together to ensure we are making the best use of our resources to protect the public and our firefighters. As of september 19, over 32,700 interagency firefighters were supporting wildfire operations across the country. Primarily in california, oregon , and washington. This is a record for most firefighters ever deployed. To bolster our capabilities, we requested assistance from the active military as well as our international partners. Additionally, states have requested assistance from their national guards. Preventing the spread of covid among our First Responders and communities is an important addition to our focus on safety this year. The Forest Service has been successful with implementing our covid prevention and mitigation measures by social distancing , spread out fire camps, and mask wearing. I would like to conclude by recognizing the efforts of this committee that took to establish the congressional fire funding fix. As a result, the Forest Service no longer must delay priority work that results from transfers of funding from other Forest Service programs to pay for ongoing fire operations. I welcome any questions you may have. Spanberger thank you very much, deputy chief phipps. Thank you, again, for being here and thank you for being patient with us working around a voting schedule. Thank you for your important testimony. At this time, members will be recognized for questions in order of seniority. Youll be recognized for five minutes each in order to allow us to get as many questions as possible. Please keep your microphones muted until youre recognized in order to minimize background noise. When one minute is left, the light will turn yellow signaling , time is close to expiring. I will begin by recognizing myself for five minutes. And i wanted to follow up on you said a couple noteworthy thanks, well, many, many noteworthy things, but specific to what i wanted to follow up on, you talked about the Record Number of firefighters who are currently deployed fighting fires throughout the west. You talked about the social distancing and the impact that covid19 is having on the work that you all are doing. And you talked about the funding needs. So i would like to follow up on of Course Congress appropriated 1 billion for wildFire Suppression this year and in addition to this, as you mentioned, another 1. 9 billion is available through the wildfire funding fix. Given the current conditions, do you anticipate the need to utilize this new Budget Authority to what full extent, and can you provide the subcommittee with an update as to any transfer