Senator Murray Announces Millions in Recovery Act Funding for Hazardous Fuels Reduction, Fire Forecast and Management Efforts

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced over $3.2 million in funding for Washington state to clean up hazardous fuels in order to avoid wildfires and to help forecast and manage smoke from fires. The funds were included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funds will be used to reduce the volume of hazardous fuels on state, federal and private lands. Additionally, $735,000 of the funding will be used to improve the health and safety of communities and fire fighters through forecasting and managing smoke from fires. Washington state will also share $9 million in funding for fuel and timber stewardship in the Blue Mountains with Oregon.

“This funding will help protect our fire fighters, communities, and homes from wildfires by reducing the amount of hazardous fuel on our lands,” said Senator Murray. “With the wildfire season upon us, we must step up our efforts to stop wildfires before they start. This funding will provide a big boost.”

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senate Murray worked to ensure that investments in protecting Washington’s lands and natural resources were a component of the Recovery Act.  Senator Murray voted to pass the Recovery Act on February 13th. The bill was signed into law by President Obama on February 17th.