Lack Of Federal Funds To Impact Firefighting

U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell predicts this could be a tough wildfire season in California and other western states.

At a press conference with U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, she stated that budget cuts will create extra challenges when it comes to extinguishing fires on federal lands. A 7.5 percent cut to the 2013 U.S. Forest Service budget will result in 500 fewer federal firefighters this season. The lack of resources combined with the dry winter could result in a difficult summer fire season. Several large fires have already erupted in portions of California this month.

The pair stated that western states will face elevated fires risks throughout the summer.