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SRES 286 ATS

Recognizing the heroic efforts of firefighters to contain numerous wildfires throughout the Western United States.

July 31, 2007

Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mr. ENSIGN, Mr. DOMENICI, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. KYL, Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. SALAZAR, Mr. CRAIG, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. BENNETT, Mr. STEVENS, Mr. TESTER, and Mr. REID) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

Recognizing the heroic efforts of firefighters to contain numerous wildfires throughout the Western United States.

Whereas the annual peak of the Western wildfire season occurs during July and August;

Whereas the 2007 Western wildfire season has been characterized by continued drought, record-setting temperatures, extreme fuel conditions, and widespread dry lightning storms;

Whereas firefighters have had to contend with extreme fire behavior and rapid rates of fire spread;

Whereas, as of July 23, 2007, more than 55,000 wildfires have burned more than 4,000,000 acres of land, which is more than 8,000 fires and 1,000,000 acres higher than the average reported fire rate over the last 10 years;

Whereas, from July 6 through July 8, 2007, more than 1,200 fires were ignited in the Western United States, most of which were caused by dry lightning storms that swept across California, Nevada, Idaho, and Utah;

Whereas, as of July 23, 2007--

(1) the State of Idaho has reported more than 760 fires that have burned more than 800,000 acres;

(2) the State of Utah has reported more than 670 fires that have burned more than 660,000 acres;

(3) the State of Nevada has reported more than 560 fires that have burned more than 510,000 acres;

(4) the State of Oregon has reported more than 1,200 fires that have burned nearly 212,000 acres;

(5) the State of California has reported more than 4,600 fires that have burned more than 117,000 acres;

(6) the State of Arizona has reported more than 1,600 fires that have burned more than 88,000 acres;

(7) the State of Washington has reported more than 680 fires that have burned more than 64,000 acres;

(8) the State of New Mexico has reported more than 870 fires that have burned nearly 35,000 acres;

(9) the State of Montana has reported more than 960 fires that have burned more than 19,000 acres;

(10) the State of Wyoming has reported more than 200 fires that have burned more than 18,000 acres; and

(11) the State of Colorado has reported more than 740 fires that have burned more than 7,400 acres;

Whereas, at any given time during the Western wildfire season, as many as 14,000 firefighters are assigned to large, uncontained fires throughout the Western United States; and

Whereas, despite tremendously volatile weather and terrain conditions, Federal, State, and local firefighting units have contained between 95 and 98 percent of all wildfires during initial attack: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) recognizes the heroic efforts of firefighters to contain wildfires and protect lives, homes, and rural economies throughout the Western United States; and

(2) encourages the people and government officials of the United States to express their appreciation to the brave men and women serving in the firefighting services.