Local Issues

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.

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.”

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?”