Sens. Padilla, Sheehy propose new wildfire agency

[u/smokejumperbro]

https://www.semafor.com/article/02/06/2025/sens-padilla-sheehy-propose-new-wildfire-agency

Here we go folks

[u/BigSpoon89]

I've internally debated this idea for years and I still haven't convinced myself it's a good idea. I think there's obvious pros to having a dedicated unified Federal wildfire agency from a staffing and training perspective, but I'm concerned about the need to use fire resources in our efforts to expand RX fire and managed fire use on federal lands.

Anybody who has watched CalFire try to do anything besides suppression knows where I'm coming from. It's like pulling teeth to get them to do RX burns that aren't grass. The suppression side just does not care about the Forestry and land management side of CalFire. I fear taking away fire resources from NPS/FS/FWS means that when they need resources to do burning there will be crickets.

Anyway, I'm open to hearing the details before passing judgement. I just hope it includes thoughtful consideration of prevention and fire-use or it won't be worth it.

[u/BigWhiteDog → u/BigSpoon89]

Not sure where you get Cal Fire only doing grass. Not even close to true. And the suppression side is the one actually doing the burns under direction of the Foresters. I know because I did them. We do care about land management, it's the public and the courts that are more a problem, because the public sees the feds losing control and burning homes.

[u/Chocolate_Onions → u/BigWhiteDog]

Stop using in-line T's on timber fires and maybe people will take you more seriously in that fuel type.

[u/BigWhiteDog → u/Chocolate_Onions]

WTF are you blathering about?

[u/BigWhiteDog → u/BigWhiteDog]

Btw, are you talking about the Tees that are called "Forestry Tees" and were invented by the USFS? Those tees? 🤣

[u/Chocolate_Onions → u/BigWhiteDog]

Every tool has a proper application brody.