WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema urged the federal government to provide additional resources to help combat wildfires and support western states and tribal communities during fire season.
“1,600 wildfires have burned more than 700,000 acres across Arizona this year. The federal government must cut red tape to ensure Arizona gets needed resources to respond to wildfires and keep our communities safe and secure,” said Sinema.
In her letter, Sinema urged the federal government to quickly increase the number of fire personnel and equipment to respond to wildfires now, ensure the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) uses its existing authorities to break down red tape to assistance for all communities, especially those in rural or disadvantaged areas impacted by wildfire, and ensure FEMA is responsive to local leaders’ requests to adjust cost-share requirements that can hinder relief efforts.
Read Sinema’s full letter HERE.
Sinema has also added a resources page to her website, www.sinema.senate.gov/wildfires, for Arizonans looking for resource and assistance on wildfires.
