For the first time since 2003, the House Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry, held a hearing specifically focused on the fire season and the costs which continue to consume the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) budget.

USFS Chief Tom Tidwell, describing 2015’s historic fire season, told lawmakers it was “hotter, dryer, and 78 days longer, and that the agency utilized the highest level of resources to date.” Over 4.6 million acres were treated, and the agency spent $700 million more than Congress appropriated for the year. The additional costs incurred were resupplied to the agency in the recent CR.

Everyone agrees – lawmakers and industry alike – funding issues have to be fixed and Congress and the nation must focus on healthy forests. More than half of the 2015 budget (52%) was consumed by the cost of fighting fires, and that number could rise to 62% by 2025. Between 2003 and 2015, fire costs have gone up by $740 million.

Testimony revealed most of the current forest system is unhealthy and 1/4 of forests are at wildfire risk. The timber harvest is reported to be drastically reduced. Additionally, there were no bids on many timber sales, and the agency has said it must find more ways to move forward to thin woodlands.