This hearing of the subcommittee conservation and forestry titled the 2020 while very dear response and Recovery Efforts will come to order. Welcome and thank you for joining todays hearing with mr. John phipps did deputy chief for state and private forestry. After a brief opening remarks the hearing will open to questions. Members will be recognized in order of seniority alternating between majority and minority members. When you are recognized to be asked to unmute your microphone and you will have five minutes to ask your question 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 on line 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 a real 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 minute of your focus away from from the important work happening to fight 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 those we have lost the wildfires this year. As we speak there are over 70 large fires ranging across 5 million acres in the southeast, the south, the right amounts the Pacific Northwest and california. For some perspective that is the equivalent of 5 million football fields and 1 million major league is ballfields are 2. 5 million typical city blocks that are currently running. They 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 in canada and mexico supporting the heroic efforts of the u. S. For staff working under dangerous and trying circumstances. In addition to Public Health crisis unlike anything we have seen in 100 years. Our communities are trying to manage wildfire evacuations during covid19 and protect electric grid during extreme heat and wildfires among other challenges get as an precedented as this moment is im reminded another moment in our nations history when americans also faced great uncertainty and hardship or during the 1930s at the height of the Great Depression the dustbowl ravaged much of United States and congress did not understand the severity of the crisis. Despite demands for action by the and those impacted by dust storms congress failed to act in a conference of manner. It was not until march of 1935 when the dust from the midwest reached the capital steps and lawmakers are forced to see it and experience with their own eyes that a compromise could be reached in what became the First Federal conservation bill the Soil Conservation domestic allotment act of 1936. The three years that followed its passage soila version dropped by more than 20 but i can only imagine what hardship could have been averted averted had congress acted when they first understood that there was a Crisis Brewing for americans across the great plains. Lets be clear that all of those here listening virtual today it shouldnt take the ash of these wildfires are the debris and floodwaters of the hurricanes ravaging our coast or severe heat felt by millions across the nation across the globe on a daily basis reaching the capital steps for congress to take action on the crisis that we are currently facing. Climate change is real and it is here and the failure of this or any committee to take action will have real human cost. I do not suggest that there not other factors that have contributed to these and other recent wildfires. We know that many factors are involved in the current wildfires in their wildfire risk and that certainly includes encroachment of housing and development on wetland Forest Management decisions resources Fire Management weather events like the historic lighting storm that struck california in august the actions of people, these of pyrotechnic devices and a list unfortunately continues. And to explore how we can work with you to protect her from wildfires a season. I look forward to discussion and continue Work Together and look forward to discussions about how we can continue our important work. An annual funding cycle to ensure the health and resilience of a National Forest. Which of the economic drivers of small communities across the country. Thank you very much. In consultation with Ranking Member and first rule 80, id like to make you aware that others may join together. They may join us today. I like to now welcome Ranking Member for his opening statement. Thank you chair, i really appreciate the effort and took to have todays hearing on this very important subject as well as the dissipation of our subcommittee and resentful Committee Members who want to take part in white in in this extremely important for them. Before begin though i think it is important that we recognize the life and legacy of one of our former chairman bodman and hunt bob smith. In the back there is a candle burning for him. At a small picture as well. Hes a family man. His cattle rancher, banker and contractor in legislature from bergen. Love this institution and understood the working across the aisle is the best way to succeed. Because we also know that. Bob was a politician politician. Any though saw his counsel. He appreciated the artwork again staff in the responsibly of us office names a credit to this committee and the house of representatives. Faithfully served in oregon Second District from 1983 until 1995 and again from 9799. In between there, chairman smi smith, that was his tenure as the chairman of the house committee. Oregonians can be proud of the service in my prayers got to his family during this time. Thanks again chair. As we know, and as you mentioned, this year the western states have experienced yet another catastrophic fire season with 7 million acres burned in california. 3. 6 million acres burned so far. Im afraid future seasons will get worse mostly dramatically improve management of our national forces. The Forest Service is five euros 50 percent of 190 3m acres of National First system. And is currently at high risk of wildfire are likely to be affected by insect and disease outbreaks. The current phase, it will take the Forest Service nearly to treat these acres. Our National Forest dismissing an epidemic of declining health which is in direct correlation to the disastrous policies that have led to a dramatic decrease in management. Even in the portions of the National Forest outside of those borderless areas. In recent years, congress has addressed fire, with the funding facts and provided new authorities in an attempt to streamline Forest Management. Mothers noticing a policy solution to solving wildfires them as gardener approach is not nearly enough. Every two years ago, california experiences must deadly wildfire on record when campfire in the paradise mcgill you. Took 85 lives and destroyed the town of paradise as well as outlying areas. The time, the congress should go back to that. The house and Senate Committees were conferencing the 2018 farmville. With the opportunity to get the number of bipartisan house provisions to help prevent further loss of life and property from wildfires. These bipartisan refrain from u. S. Force services and about the obama and trump administration. However, despite his efforts by the republican farmville recently, the Senate Democrats refused to even discuss these critical reforms. They require active management in the form of mechanical bidding, prescribed tires and other activities. His religion and become overgrown boxes as we see now. In the status quo, addressing at risk acres take years and years these delays harm the very acres that we are trying to protect. For instance, 2018 reduction act project in the sierra National Forest central thousand acres to respond to pre mortality and review fuels long roots for jemima knowledge from those of the entire vacation to delay the process. An analysis took nearly today are under two years to the day to complete. Unfortunately, is easily identified fire acres were consumed in increased fire for the restoration work that even began. We can address these issues of common sense approaches the benefit both our forest and our rural communities. Any ideas that we could bring to the table and act on immediately. One example hr 7978 of emergency wildfire and Public Safety. Proud with her to my colleagues to introduce this bill to help protect from catastrophic wildfires. Intimate common sense Forest Management forms will help prevent these fires in the future. While this is a good start, or work will be needed. Congress can consider any number of a net number of authorities for bipartisan legislations. Salvage to address landscape scale mortality events caused by wildfire. And infestations and disease. And droughts. In the collings i encouraged him to take action on the ideas and others without to delay. We are indeed fortunate to have the Forest Service here, deputies chief of staff and private forestry just fine for us today. We appreciate that. We hope to hear about the experience. And what tools your Forest Service has at your disposal. What tools are needed further to prevent and suppress wildfires. Like to take a moment again to thank the Forest Service and firefighters and other First Responders that are currently at risk and those who are already as mentioned, have given their lives to protect the forest and from the communities. We are deep forever grateful to their service in the hope todays hearing latest comprehensive solution to make their jobs easier in the future. Thank you madam chair. The chair would request another members some of their Opening Statements for the record. So in essence may begin the test monies and to ensure there is ample time for questions. I would like to a witness. Thank you for being here today. He began his role as deputy chief of state and private forestry idiocies Forest Service in 2019. He started his career with Forest Service and cutting 76 and has since held a variety rules within the agency. Prior to his current position, he served as the station director for the Rocky Mountain research station from 2015 to 2019. We will now proceed to hearing in your testimony in about five minutes. When one minute is off of the light will turn yellow. Signaling the time is close to expiring and should be able to see a clock ticking down on one of these boxes on the screen for you. Please begin whenever you are ready. Good afternoon everyone. Chair, Ranking Members, and members of the committee. I am proud to be representing the Forest Service today as a career professional forester with decades of experience dedicated to our mission of stewarding americas wars and grasslands for client and future generations. Ive experienced as a firefighter, land manager, research leader, and Senior Executive currently leading the agencys state and private forest programs. Including fire and aviation management. My testimony will outline the current status Forest Service response to wildfires burning neighbors that we have fun going to take care of our employees and communities before during and after fires occur. Our nation is enduring and devastating wildfire year. One that is cut destructive through states like california, oregon, washington, colorado and arizona and made more difficult by the undoing covid19 pandemic. As of september 19, there have been almost 3000 of fires that were 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 potshot squad boston died last thursday in california while fighting the el dorado fire. That was on the San BernardinoNational Forest. Charlies Memorial Services tomorrow in San Bernardino. Its an understatement to say this is an unprecedented year. Numerous large fires since mid august have been in and around very large communities in developed areas across california and the Pacific Northwest. Smoke impacts have been horrendous. And widespread across western United States. One of the most notable challenges this year is the number of fires taking place at the same time. We just stretch just then. And since august 18th, through today, the demand for fire resources has 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. Well Work Together. To ensure that we are making this use of our resources and to protect the public and our firefighters. As of september 19th of over 32700 interagency firefighters was 40 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 a system or assistance from active military as well as our International Partners and additionally states have requested assistance from the national guards. Preventing the spread of covid19 among our First Responders and communities is an important addition to our focus on safety this year. The Forest Service has been successful without limiting our covid19 prevention and mitigation measures by spreadout fire camps and social distancing and mask wearing. I like to conclude by recognizing efforts of this committee that took to establish the congressional fire funding as a result of the car service no longer delays priority work that results from transfers offending from other Forest Service programs to pay for ongoing fire operations. I welcome any questions you may have. Thank you so much. Thank you again chief for being here and be patient with us working around the putting scheduled work different thank you for your report did this money. Members will be recognized questions in order of seniority alternating between majority minority members will be recognized by men in order to allow us to get as any questions as possible and please keep your microphones muted until you are recognized. In order to mice background noise. Little one minute is left, i will turn yellow signaling time that is close to expiring and i will begin by recognizing myself for five minutes. And want to follow up, he said a couple of noteworthy things. Twelve any of them but specific to what they wanted to follow up on. You talked about the Record Number of firefighters are currently deployed fighting fires throughout the list. You talked about the social distancing and the impacts that covid19 is having on the work that you all are doing. You talked about the funding needs. So i would like to follow up in the question of resources. Congress a prorated 1 million to suppression is your brain ended entered in addition to this as you mentioned, another 1. 9 million is available through the wildfire planning. In the current conditions. Do you anticipate the need to utilize this new Budget Authority to file full extent. And can you provide subcommittee with an update has to any transfers the department of interior has made for wildFire Suppression this year. Thank you for the question. I will start with the easiest one first. The department of interior requested 47 milliondollar transfer which we made. An earlier we had transferred to them 2 million as normal posture between the departments. Relative to where we are in our Fire Suppression funding. We are still within our appropriated amount for that. We dont anticipate going over it. The reason for that is this particular fire year, all of the fires seem to have at once. Later in the summer. In the agency the Interagency Community didnt even have the capability to spend at the rate they wouldve had to of taken. Normally fires are spread out across the whole year. Those types of years when we are more likely to go over the budget and have to defend to the reserve account. You mentioned interagency. I am curious. I have concerns i would love your opinions about what the United States has does not