[inaudible conversations] this hearing of the subcommittee on conservation and forestry titled the 2020 wildfires here, response and Recovery Efforts will come to order. F welcome and thank you for joining todays hearing with mr. John phipps, deputy chief for state and private forest that just yet. After brief opening remarks the hearing will open to questions. Members will be recognized in order of seniority alternating between majorityminority members. When you are recognized you will be asked to unmute your microphone and you have five minutes to ask a question or make a comet. In order to get as many questions as possible, the tir will stay consistently visible on your screen. Thank you for joining us here in washington and online today for this critical hearing on the wildfires ravaging the western United States. Weve all seen the footage from california, oregon and washington. It is surreal, and it is terrifying. I want to talk today about whati we can do to meet the needs andt face the challenges presented by this unprecedented wildfire season out west and elsewhere. Deputy chief phipps, thank you for joining us today for this important discussion. I appreciate everything that you and the Forest Service did to accommodate our request on short notice, and i do not want to take more than the minimum of your focus away from the important work happening to fight wildfires in communitiesut across the country. The Forest Service recently lost one of its own fighting a wildfire in southern california. I ask that before we continue, we pause for a moment of silence for him, and for all of those we have lost to wildfires this year. As we speak, there are over 70 large fires raging across 5 million acres in the southeast, south, Rocky Mountains, 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 burning. There are more than 31,000 firefighters and support personnel on the ground waging this battle. 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. Forest staff who are working under very dangerous and trying circumstances, in addition to a Public Health crisis unlike anything we have seen in a hundred years. Our communities are trying to manage wildfire evacuations during covid19 and protect the electric grid during extreme heat and wildfire, among other challenges. Yet as unprecedented as this moment is, i am reminded of another moment in our nations history when americans also faced great uncertainty and hardship. During the 1930s, at the height of the Great Depression and the dust bowl that ravaged the great plains and 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 an Environmental Crisis. Despite demands for action by both the administration and those impacted by the dust storms, for years, congress failed to act in a comprehensive manner. It was not until march of 1935, when the dust from the midwest reached the capitols steps and lawmakers were forced to see it and experience it with their own eyes, that compromise could be reached on 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 had congress acted when they first understood that there was a Crisis Brewing for americans across the great plains. I want to be clear to all those here and listening virtually today. It should not take the ash of these wildfires, or the debris and flood waters of the hurricanes ravaging our coasts, or the severe heat felt by millions across the nation and across the globe on a daily basis, reaching the capitols steps today, for this congress to take action on the Environmental Crisis currently facing us. Climate change is real, it is here, and a failure of this or any committee in congress to take action will have real, human costs. Still i do not mean to suggest that there are not other factors that have contributed to theset. Or other recent wildfires. We know that many factors are involved in the current wildfires and our wildfire risk. That certainly includes encroachment of housing anden development on forested wildlands; Forest Management decisions and resources; fire management; weather events like the historic Lightning Storm that struck california in august; actions of people, like 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 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 most enjoy about this subcommittee, we focus on how we can Work Together on behalf of our constituents. This subcommittee is here to learn about what is happening since we last spoke in july about the 2020 wildfire season, what you expect may happen as it continues, and to explore how we can work with you to protect our communities from wildfires this season. I look forward to that discussion, and our continued Work Together on issues related to the u. S. Forest service. I also look forward to discussions about how we can continue our important work with you through the farm bill and annual funding cycle to ensure the health and resilience of our National Forests, which are economic drivers in small communities across the country. Thank you. In consultation with the Ranking Member in pursuant to rule 11 the i want to make members of the subcommittee aware that other members of the full committee may joined together, they join us to get. Id like to know welcome Ranking Member lamalfa for his opening statement. 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 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 community is an important addition to our focus on safety this year. The Forest Service has been successful with implementing our covid prevention andit mitigatin measures i spread out fire camps, social m distancing and mask wearing. I would like to conclude by recognizing efforts of this committee that took to establish the congressionale fire funding fix. As a result the Forest Service no longer must delay priority work the results from transfers of funding from other Forest Service programs to payes for ongoing fire operations. I welcome any questions you may have. Thank you so much, deputy chief tips phipps. Thank you again for being it thank you been patient with his working round of voting schedule. Thank you for your important testimony. Members will be recognizedhi for questions in order of seniority alternate between majority and minority members. You will be recognized for five minutes speech in order to allow us to get as many questions as possible. Please keep her microphone is muted until you are recognized in o order to minimize backgroud noise. When one man is left the light will turn yellow signalingl time is close to expiring. I will they can buy recognize myself for five minutes. I wanted to follow up on, he said a couple of noteworthy things, many, many noteworthy next a specific what i wanted to followup on, you talked about the record of the 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 you all are doing and you talked about the funding needs. Id like to follow up on this question of resources. Congress appropriate 1 billion per wildFire Suppression this year and in addition to this, as you make income another 1. 9 1. 9 billion is available through a the wildfire funding fix. Given the Current Condition