Hackers started getting jobs doing security. Next well hear from federal and local officials on some of the technologies that can be used to reduce and prevent wildfires across the country. They testified at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing this month. This is just under two hours. Good morning. The committee will come to order. Were here today to take a look at wildfire, to examine our wildFire Management program, the collaboration that is required to reduce risks firefighters, to communities, and resources and some of the emerging technologies that are changing the way that fires are managed. We now well into the 2017 fire season. Certainly a very active one. My friend from montana, i think, is going to share some of what is happening in his state this morning, and i think it is appropriate to recognize the heroic acts of the man and women who fight these fires throughout the season, and to recognize the loss of the firefighter in montana. Senator . Madam chair
And what with our research and development, we are going to continue to do our work to be able to understand what we need to do to be able to resort forests and address the insect and disease outbreaks and continue our work to be able to find ways to expand current markets and develop new markets or would to be able to make use of the biomass that has to be removed from the landscapes to restore the healthy forest. We also provide an adequate level of Fire Suppression to deal with fires to suppress fires where we need to come in at the same time be able to manage them in the country. We will have over 21 air tankers in the 300 plus helicopters, over a thousand engines and the hotshot crews. The thing i need to stress, and i appreciate the support from the committee on finding a solution to pay for the cost of Fire Suppression. I appreciate the additional money that was supplied into the account, but i think that we have all seen what happens with the account and whether that will help
The state program provides technical advice as well as financial assistance on a cost-share basis so private landowners can more effectively manage, protect and restore important natural resources on their properties.