Schrier calls for more resources to support wildfire fighting effort

Attachments

Letter addressed to the National Interagency Fire Center

WASHINGTON  DC—Congresswoman Kim Schrier (D-WA) is urgently calling for additional resources to combat the Pioneer Fire in Washington State, which has burned over 30,000 acres and is threatening the remote community of Stehekin.

In a letter addressed to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) on July 25, Rep. Schrier requested information on resource allocation and prioritization for wildfires in her state. The congresswoman expressed particular concern for Stehekin, a town with no road access and currently under a Level 2 Fire Advisory.

"I am increasingly concerned about the impact the Pioneer Fire will have on Stehekin residents and want to ensure residents and responders have access to the resources they need to secure their safety and minimize potential structural damage," Schrier wrote in her letter to NIFC officials.

The Pioneer Fire, burning 31 miles northwest of Chelan, WA, is rapidly approaching Stehekin, which serves as a gateway to North Cascades National Park. The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center has ranked it as the third most concerning fire in Washington State and twelfth in the region.

Schrier is seeking clarity on how these rankings affect resource mobilization, stating, "I would like to know how this ranking affects the mobilization of resources and what characteristics of the fire impact the decision-making process."

The congresswoman also inquired about the availability of additional fire management resources from outside the region, including the possibility of international aid. With the Northwest region at Preparedness Level 5, Schrier emphasized the need for a comprehensive understanding of the national resource commitment.

"Mitigating risk in our forests has become ever more important with the increasing intensity of wildfires and lengthening wildfire seasons throughout the West," Schrier said in a separate statement. "The Pioneer Fire poses a particular threat as it encroaches on the town of Stehekin. Its geography also makes it particularly challenging to fight."

Schrier's efforts extend beyond this immediate crisis. She has been active in wildfire mitigation legislation, including pushing for federal firefighter pay increases, introducing the National Prescribed Fire Act of 2024, and securing $11.5 million in Community Wildfire Defense Grants.

The congresswoman acknowledged the dedication of firefighters on the ground, stating, "We want to thank the firefighters and crews on the ground who have been fighting this fire valiantly. I am committed to getting them the resources they need and ensuring that the Forest Service prioritizes our region."