Secretaries Perdue and Zinke Join Forces to Combat 2018 Wildfire Season

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke Thursday hosted a fire briefing for Members of Congress at the Department of Agriculture detailing the wildfire forecast for 2018. Following the meeting, the secretaries sent a letter to wildland fire leadership highlighting the importance of inter-departmental collaboration to increase firefighter, public, and community safety as the 2018 wildfire season approaches. The 2017 wildfire season was one of the most challenging years on record, stressing the need for the USDA and the Department of the Interior to work together in combating this year’s fires. In a joint statement, the two said both departed will collaborate to ensure all firefighting assets are being used in an efficient and effective manner.