June 10, Secretaries Rollins, Burgum and Noem provided President Trump and his key senior leadership a comprehensive briefing on national preparedness efforts ahead of wildfire and hurricane season. Photo courtesy of United States Department of Agriculture

WASHINGTON D.C., MD (MPG) - June 12, United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and United States Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum joined President Donald J. Trump for the signing of Executive Order Empowering Commonsense Wildfire Prevention and Response, at the White House. 

The newly signed order directs federal agencies to consolidate and streamline federal wildland fire capabilities and enhance local response by adopting practical, technology driven strategies for land management, wildfire mitigation and response. It also directs agencies to modernize wildland firefighting efforts and expand efforts to prevent wildfires from starting in the first place.

“American farmland, forests, and communities have suffered the devastating consequences of slow and inadequate fire response cause by reckless mismanagement and lack of preparedness,” said Secretary Rollins. "President Trump’s suite of executive orders show that this Administration will not sit back and watch the destruction of our forests and property. We have the largest and most well-respected wildland firefighting force in the world, and the Trump Administration is working in lockstep to reduce fire risk and respond quickly to emerging fires. We will keep working to ensure that no American town or family is left vulnerable to wildfires."

Secretary Rollins was joined in the Oval Office by United States Forest Service Wildland Firefighters, including Forest Supervisor of the National Forest in North Carolina James Melonas, Helena Hotshot Superintendent Charlie Palermo, and Assistant Fire Management Officer of the Flathead National Forest Justin Kaber, for the signing of this Executive Order. 

June 10, Secretaries Rollins, Burgum and Noem provided President Trump and his key senior leadership a comprehensive briefing on national preparedness efforts ahead of wildfire and hurricane season.

Key themes discussed during the President’s briefing included:

Wildfire season outlook

Federal agency preparedness and resources

Current wildfire situation

Canadian wildfire resource mobilization; and

The Administration’s efforts to increase timber production and unleash American energy

For the latest wildfire information, visit www.nifc.gov