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Forest Fire

January 20, 2023
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Rep. McClintock Introduces Six Bills at the Start of the 118th Congress

January 12, 2023 Press Release

California Congressman Tom McClintock (CA-05) introduced several bills at the start of the 118th Congress...

H.R. 188 – Proven Forest Management Act

"Excess timber comes out of the forest in only two ways – it is either carried out or it burns out. For most of the 20th Century, we carried it out," McClintock said.

"Beginning in the 1970s, we began imposing environmental laws that have made the management of our lands all but impossible. Draconian restrictions on logging, grazing, prescribed burns and herbicide use on public lands have made modern land management endlessly time consuming and ultimately cost prohibitive."

H.R. 188 expands throughout the entire National Forest System the categorical exclusion for forest management projects that was secured for the Tahoe Basin in the 2016 WINN Act.

When we granted a categorical exclusion from NEPA to our Tahoe Basin foresters, these provisions for the Tahoe Basin expedited the clearance of excess timber, were instrumental in slowing the Caldor fire, and need to be applied nationally.

H.R. 189 – Action Versus No Action Act

The Action Versus No Action Act requires federal land management agencies to evaluate forest management activity and the alternative of no action.

The Act will ensure that forest management projects are not bogged down by the burdensome NEPA process, and that federal agencies consider the devastating impact that a lack of management would have on the health of a forest, potential for wildfires, and potential loss of life and property.

"The choice is ours: we can restore proper scientific management of our forests or continue to watch them tragically burn," said Rep. McClintock.

Mosquito Fire Information

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Placer County Mosquito Fire Information

El Dorado County Mosquito Fire Information

Mosquito Fire Briefing 9/16/22

  • "Mosquito Fire briefing today with Cal Fire NEU Unit Chief Brian Estes, the USFS Tahoe National Forest, and Placer County Supervisors Cindy Gustafson and Suzanne Jones. The firefighters and first responders have done a tremendous job. As of this evening the fire is 20% contained." -Rep. McClintock

 

Mosquito Fire Briefing 9/9/22

  • "Joined Cal Fire, the USFS, and local partners for a Mosquito Fire briefing today. As this fire is extremely active and has created challenging conditions, let us all keep the firefighters and first responders who are selflessly serving the community in our prayers." -Rep. McClintock

Oak Fire Information

 

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Oak Fire Incident Overview (CAL FIRE)

Constituents Affected by the Oak Fire

  • The Oak Fire SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center has opened at the Mariposa County Health & Human Services Agency, Coulterville and Catheys Valley Rooms, 5362 Lemee Lane in Mariposa. Open Mondays through Fridays, 8 am to 5 pm. Further information can be found here and the SBA Fact Sheet can be found here.
  • Information regarding recovery or evacuation needs can be found on the Mariposa County Oak Fire Recovery Services Page: http://www.mariposacounty.org/2652/Local-Assistance-Center-Resources
  • If you are a constituent impacted by the Oak Fire and need help navigating available resources please call my district office at 916-786-5560.

Oak Fire Damage Assessment Tour 8/1/22

  • "I appreciate the difficult and tireless work of the local, state and federal first responders that continue to battle the Oak Fire and serve the community. Upon returning from congressional session in Washington, I met in Mariposa County with officials, impacted residents, and the Local Assistance Center, where dozens of agencies and volunteer groups are assembled to assist those impacted." -Congressman McClintock

 

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Rep. McClintock and Rep. LaMalfa Introduce Legislation Requiring the U.S. Forest Service to Immediately Suppress Wildfires

March 2, 2022 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom McClintock (CA-04) and Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) introduced legislation directing the U.S. Forest Service to immediately suppress wildfires on National Forest System lands and put an end to the policy of letting fires burn.

Caldor Fire Information

 

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Mr. President: Keep Your Promise to Caldor Fire Victims

December 2, 2021 Speeches

Washington, D.C. – Congressman McClintock today on the House floor delivered remarks calling on President Biden to keep the promise he made to assist Caldor Fire victims. Video link:

On September 13th President Biden visited the scene of the Caldor fire. On that occasion, officials from El Dorado County and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services apprised him of the need to assist displaced families. He said, "we're going to take care of them…there's a lot that we can do, and it starts off being a federal responsibility, in my view."

Despite multiple appeals, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has refused to approve Individual Assistance for the victims of the Caldor Fire. The Caldor Fire is the 15th largest and 16th most destructive fire in the history of California.

11/19/21 Rep. McClintock Calls For President Biden to Fulfill His Promise to Caldor Fire Victims – Reverse FEMA's Denial of the Governor's Appeal For Individual Assistance:

Rep. Tom McClintock sent a letter to President Joe Biden calling upon him to fulfill the promise he made to assist the victims of the Caldor Fire when he visited the scene on September 13, 2021.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has denied Governor Newsom's appeal for Individual Assistance for victims of the Caldor Fire. The Caldor Fire is the 15th largest and 16th most destructive fire in the history of California. Nearly 800 homes were destroyed when the fire tragically wiped out the Gold Rush-era town of Grizzly Flats.

Excerpt from the Congressman's letter to President Biden:

"When officials from El Dorado County and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) apprised you of the need to assist these displaced families, you said, ‘we're going to take care of them…there's a lot that we can do, and it starts off being a federal responsibility, in my view.'"

"To fulfill this pledge, it is imperative that you reverse the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) denial of the Governor's appeal for Individual Assistance for the victims of the Caldor Fire. As I noted in my letters to you of September 17th and November 4th, the denial of Individual Assistance, if allowed to stand, will have devastating consequences on survivors whose homes and livelihoods have been destroyed."

"The FEMA denial is a stunning double standard when viewed next to assistance granted in other fires of far less impact. For example, Cal OES identified nine other Individual Assistance approvals in 2021, which cumulatively had fewer homes destroyed than those destroyed by the Caldor Fire alone."

"Last year, when FEMA denied the Governor's request for Individual Assistance for the Creek Fire in Fresno and Madera Counties, President Trump immediately reversed the decision and granted Individual Assistance."

"You made a promise to the victims of the Caldor Fire, and now is the time to fulfill it by taking the same action."

Read Congressman McClintock's full letter to President Biden here.

9/13/21 Letter to USFS Regional Forester Eberlien Regarding National Forest Closures in the Pacific Southwest Region:

Congressman McClintock and his colleagues Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA), and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) sent a letter to USFS Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien regarding national forest closures in the Pacific Southwest Region.

"As congressional members representing national forests in the Pacific Southwest Region, we urgently request that you immediately rescind Regional Order No. 21-07 that has closed 17 national forests within the region to public use.

"We are all sensitive to the danger of forest fires in our region, but each forest is different, and the local Forest Supervisors must have the trust and flexibility to determine conditions within their own jurisdictions and make reasonable judgments based on those conditions."

Read their letter to Regional Forester below.

 

9/9/21 Update from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office About Plans to Re-Populate Grizzly Flats:

The re-population for Grizzly Flats residents to allow those whose homes are habitable and those whose homes have been lost will begin in a staggered manner starting Sunday and will likely be completed by the end of the day Monday. Below is a general overview of the process:

· Residents will be notified via El Dorado Sheriff's Office and El Dorado County social media and Code Red approximately 24 hours prior to a designated date and time based on their address that they will be allowed re-entry.

· There will be a check-in and resident verification process at Pioneer Park where they will be given information on resources, hazards, etc. This is to prevent those who do not reside there from gaining access to the area.

· Contact information will be taken so that we can make contact with them directly throughout the recovery efforts. The form you will need to fill out can be found here: https://arcg.is/0LHeCX. Please fill it out prior to your arrival.

· Different segments of the Grizzly Flats area will be repopulated at different times throughout Sunday and Monday to prevent extreme traffic jams, safety issues and hazards.

· Evacuees will need to bring a Government ID and some form of verification of address. We will make every effort to verify residence, but be prepared to be turned back if we are unable to do so.

· Evacuees will be given a permit to access their property and then cleared to enter the evacuated area. Again, the permit is intended to prevent the entry of those who do not live in the area and maintain the safety of those who do. Roadblocks will remain in place to check the permits during this process and for some period after.

· We are pleased to get you all to your properties. Thank you for your patience.

Rep. McClintock Attends Caldor Fire Incident Command Center Briefing 9/3/21:

Congressman McClintock met with El Dorado Hills Fire Chief Maurice Johnson, Sierra National Forest Supervisor Dean Gould, and Amador County Supervisor Brian Oneto at the Caldor Fire Incident Command Center briefing. While there is a long road ahead, tremendous progress has been made as a result of the selfless efforts of our firefighters and first responders.

 

Caldor Fire Command Center Briefing

 

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Caldor Fire HQ


August 26, 2021. CaldorFire Command Center briefing followed by detailed discussion with El Dorado Forest Supervisor Jeff Marsolais, Sheriff John D'Agostini, and Cal Fire. Extremely impressed by all the firefighters and local leaders working to save lives and property and to put this fire out.

Invitation to President Biden to Tour the Damage Caused by Catastrophic Wildfires

August 25, 2021. Today, I joined my colleagues at the state and federal level in inviting President Biden to tour the damage caused in our districts by catastrophic wildfires. We believe it's important for the President to see the situation in person to fully grasp the gravity of what CA is facing. Link: Letter

Rep. McClintock Requests a Major Disaster Declaration For Caldor Fire

August 23, 2021 Press Release

Rep. McClintock today sent a letter to Gov. Newsom requesting a major disaster declaration for the Caldor Fire.

"The Caldor Fire has now exceeded 106,500 acres with little containment. As of this writing, 557 structures have been destroyed, including 403 homes, with another 17,488 structures currently threatened. Tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated, with more expected. The town of Grizzly Flats has been flattened, with more communities throughout El Dorado and Amador counties under severe threat.

"I appreciate your quick action in declaring a state of emergency in response to this fire, which has facilitated federal suppression assistance. Given the continued rapid growth and severity of the Caldor fire, I ask that you request a major disaster declaration in order to provide needed assistance to communities and individuals impacted by this devastating fire."

Forest Fires Rage Through California



The U.S. Forest Service was formed to remove excess growth before it could burn and to preserve our forests in a healthy condition from generation to generation. But the environmental movement in the 1970s made that IMPOSSIBLE. The amount of acreage being destroyed by catastrophic fire in California has now returned to its prehistoric levels of about 4 million acres per year. August 19, 2021

Caldor Fire

 

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August 4, 2021 Columns
It is dangerous nonsense to "monitor" incipient fires in today's forest tinderbox, even if they seem to pose no immediate danger.

July 20, 2021 Washington, D.C.- Rep. McClintock sent a letter today to Chief of the U.S. Forest Service Vicki Christiansen requesting answers as to why there was a lack of suppression action to combat the Tamarack Fire that began on July 4, 2021 until after July 10, 2021. "This fire has now burned over 23,000 acres with no reported containment, threatening nearby communities and forcing evacuations…When was the decision made to monitor this fire instead of immediately acting to suppress it? Why was this decision made? Who made this decision and which USFS officials were consulted and informed? What legal authority authorized the USFS to allow this wildfire to burn in lieu of immediate full suppression?"

Our Forests Tragedy

September 23, 2020
Last week, President Trump came to California to be briefed on the horrific fires now raging in California. Instead, he got a lecture from Governor Newsom and his staff on climate change.

Creek Fire Damage Assessment Tour and Briefing

 

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Creek Fire damage assessment tour at Huntington Lake with the US Forest Service, CAL FIRE, and community partners. We appreciate the continued efforts of our first responders and are committed to rebuilding this community.

 

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Met with constituents in Shaver Lake on October 15th. I truly appreciate them sharing their first hand accounts of the devastation of the Creek Fire. This community is filled with strong and hardworking people. I'm devoted to assisting in any way possible as they move forward with rebuilding. More.

Creek Fire Incident Command Center

 

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Creek Fire Command Center

 

 


Creek Fire Incident Command Center. Thank you to all of the firefighters, law enforcement officers and first responders who have been working around the clock to fight the Creek Fire. More.

August 25, 2020 Speeches

It was great to be a part of the 24th annual Lake Tahoe Summit held on August 25th, 2020. A resilient Tahoe requires resilient forests – and resilient forests require active scientific management...

Forest Health and Fire Prevention

 

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Joined the Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Chiefs, Cal Fire, U.S. Forest Service Basin Management Unit and the Tahoe Fuels Partnership on August 11th 2020 for our annual field tour. I want to thank all of our partners who work tirelessly every day to protect Lake Tahoe.

February 12, 2020
The question presented in this amendment comes down to this: are we willing to protect our wilderness areas from catastrophic wildfire, or are we content to stand by and watch them burn.
 

Forestry Field Tour

Field tour in August 2019 with the Tahoe National Forest Basin Management Unit and the Western Caucus focusing on forest health, forest management and prevention of catastrophic wildfire.

 
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Fire Briefing 2018

 

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Fire briefing at Dodge Ridge, August 2018. Very appreciative of the hard work, courage and dedication of all those who battle the fires.



McClintock Letter Calls for State-Wide Federal Assistance for California Fires
August 11, 2018 Press Release
U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock, CA-04, joined by 13 California members of the House of Representatives called on President Trump to continue to provide federal assistance for fire suppression and recovery.

Congressman McClintock with Secretary Zinke receiving briefing on Ferguson Fire drone employment, July 21, 2018. More.
 
 

Tahoe Basin Fire Prevention

 

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Tahoe Fire Chiefs and Rep. McClintock

 

 


Congressman McClintock gathered May 2nd with leadership of the U.S. Forest Service's Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Tahoe District Fire Chiefs, and Cal Fire to ensure all practical measures are in work to prevent wildfire in the Tahoe Basin. More.
 

November 1, 2017 Speeches
Forty-five years ago, Congress enacted laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, that promised to improve the health of our forests. They imposed what have become endlessly time-consuming and ultimately cost-prohibitive restrictions on our ability to properly manage our national forests so that we can match the tree density with the ability of the land to support it. After 45 years of experience with these laws, I think we're entitled to ask, "How are the forests doing?" The answer is damning.
 

"We Are Running Out of Forests to Save"

October 3, 2017 Speeches
I want to thank Chairman Gosar of the Western Caucus for arranging this special order tonight. The wildfire crisis facing our forests across the West comes down to a simple adage. Excess timber comes out of the forest one way or the other. It is either carried out, or it burns out. But it comes out.

Lake Tahoe Summit

August 22, 2017 Speeches
First, I want to thank Senator Feinstein for restoring the bi-partisan nature of this annual Tahoe Summit. Lincoln once reminded us "that we can succeed only by concert." We demonstrated that maxim with the enactment of the Tahoe provisions in the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act last December. That wouldn't have been possible without Republicans and Democrats coming together in Washington.

Detwiler Fire

July 26, 2017 Speeches
Mr. Speaker: I want to begin by saluting the more than 5,000 firefighters from 40 cooperating agencies that assembled under the coordination of CALFIRE to battle the Detwiler fire that threatened Yosemite Valley and its gateway communities
June 21, 2017 Speeches

H.R. 1873 – Hazard Tree Removal

Chairman's Opening Statement - Subcommittee on Federal Lands

June 15, 2017 Speeches

Congressman McClintock is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Lands. The subcommittee held a legislative hearing on June 15, 2017. Congressman McClintock delivered the following opening statement:

Chairman's Opening Statement
Subcommittee on Federal Lands
House Natural Resources Committee
June 15, 2017

May 17, 2017 Speeches

Congressman McClintock is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Lands. The subcommittee held a hearing on May 17, 2017. Congressman McClintock delivered the following opening statement:

Hearing on Wildfire Prevention
Federal Lands Subcommittee
House Natural Resources Committee

WRDA - A Critical Moment for Tahoe and the West

December 7, 2016 Speeches
WRDA Conference Report: Water for California; Fire Protection for Tahoe. The conference report on the Water Resources Development Act is the product of many, many hours of good-faith negotiations between the House and Senate and between Republicans and Democrats.
May 12, 2016 Speeches
And here's a song we've heard before: despite the high fire risk, BLM is not performing adequate fire prevention activities, particularly mechanical treatments, in the area because it is managed as a WSA. In addition, the location of the WSA hampers firefighting tactics, leaving local firefighters with no maneuvering room to protect life and property in the event of catastrophic wildfire.
February 22, 2016 Press Release

The attached letter to the editor from Congressman McClintock has been submitted to the Sacramento Bee:

Matt Weiser grossly misrepresents both Republican federal lands policy and my leadership of the House subcommittee that oversees it.

Our committee seeks to restore responsible stewardship of our national forests and protect the public's right to enjoy the public's lands.

January 27, 2016 Speeches

February 22, 2016

The attached letter to the editor from Congressman McClintock has been submitted to the Sacramento Bee:

Matt Weiser grossly misrepresents both Republican federal lands policy and my leadership of the House subcommittee that oversees it.

Our committee seeks to restore responsible stewardship of our national forests and protect the public's right to enjoy the public's lands.

October 8, 2015 Press Release

Rep. Tom McClintock's (R-CA) and Rep. Mark Amodei's (R-NV) H.R. 3382, the "Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2015" passed the House Natural Resources Committee today. The legislation focuses resources on fire prevention and additional measures to protect the lake from the introduction of invasive species.

August 24, 2015 Speeches
Tahoe rests on the northern boundary of California's Fourth Congressional District. Meanwhile, right now – as we speak – a catastrophic wildfire is raging in the King's Canyon region on the southern boundary of this very same district. That fire has already consumed 78 square miles of national forests and at latest report is only 17 percent contained.
July 30, 2015 Press Release

Congressman Tom McClintock (R-CA) and Congressman Mark Amodei (R-NV) introduced legislation yesterday to address catastrophic wildfire and invasive species threats to Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Basin. The Federal Lands Subcommittee chaired by McClintock had already considered the preliminary draft of H.R. 3382, "Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2015," on July 14th, putting it on a fast track for House passage.

July 9, 2015 Press Release

Congressman McClintock is a co-author of H.R. 2647 (Westerman), the Resilient Federal Forests Act. The legislation was approved by the House on July 9, 2015. The bill next goes to the Senate. Congressman McClintock delivered the following House floor debate remarks in support of the measure:

Resilient Federal Forests Act
July 9, 2015

Excess timber comes out of the forest one way or the other. It is either carried out or it is burned out.

When we carried it out, we had healthy forests and a thriving economy.

May 14, 2015 Speeches

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands held an oversight hearing on the impact of litigation on forest management, the U.S. Forest Service's response to the growing challenge of litigation and related impacts upon forest health.

Supervisor Randy Hanvelt of Tuolumne County provided testimony at the hearing. Supervisor Hanvelt's district includes large sections of the Stanislaus National Forest, an area severely impacted by the 2013 Rim Fire.

April 23, 2015 Speeches
Over the past thirty years, we have seen an 80 percent reduction in timber harvested from our national forests, and in the same period a concomitant increase in acreage destroyed by fire. This phenomenon far predates the Western drought and was best summed up by a forester long ago who observed, "All that excess timber comes out of the forests one way or the other. It is either CARRIED OUT or it is BURNED OUT. But it comes OUT."