Bush Asks For Fire Fighting Funds
President Bush has asked Congress to provide $825-million in emergency funds to extinguish the fires that have devastated much of America this summer.
Six million acres have already burned, more than twice the 10-year average.
The president´s request will pay for firefighting activities in 41 states and replenish resources.
Under the president´s plan, $636 million would go to U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management activities, and $189 million is slated for wildland fire suppression and emergency rehabilitation activities.
This money is in addition to $200 million increase in the fiscal year 2003 fire suppression spending plan requested by the president.