Greg Walden Quotes

As the GAO report recognizes, the long-term health of our forests relies on additional fuel reduction options and funding to reduce the risks that catastrophic fire poses to our nation's ecosystems, communities and federal budgetary resources.

It is not acceptable that we continue to see thousands of acres burn because of forest fires, because of poor management on our forests, big kill, and we have these catastrophic situations take place when we are not able to take action.

Eastern Washington has experienced a number of deadly forest fires this season, and it is crucial that we have bipartisan legislation that will expedite the research and restoration process.

We have at least 125 communities in Arizona at risk from wildfire, not because of review processes or litigation delays but because of a lack of federal funding on the ground to actually begin the projects.

Preparing to fight wild fires is only part of the solution, we must be more pro-active and prevent the fires before they start, or reduce their intensity by removing forest waste and fuel build up.

When it comes to wildfires, 2013 wasn't a good year, which is why I'm especially proud that the majority of my wildfire prevention legislation was signed into law today.

Of the over 100,000 wildfires that happen in the U.S. each year, not a single one would get started without the fire triangle: Oxygen, heat and fuel. Fire needs all three to exist. It's like the three branches of our government: Legislative, judicial and executive. The fewer there are, the safer we are.

You wait until the forest fire is on your front step before you step up.

Arizona's forest fires are not waiting for April, and neither will we. That is why I am pushing for stepped up deployment for Hot Shot wildfire crews in March rather than April, in order to better prepare for the expected fires in northern Arizona.

What we need as much as money is consensus about how we live [with fire] in that countryside [prone to forest fires] or at least agreement about how to decide…. More than 72,000 communities are at risk and only 20% have a plan for protection.

They have under invested in fire for so long that the catch up costs seem staggering. The traditional inclination is to rely on emergency interventions rather than systemic reforms.

If Europe blazes in the late spring or summer, we must put our house in order before the sparks reach the Western Hemisphere.

Wildfires can leave the land with burn scars that last for years.

Due to climate change, wildfires are growing in size, frequency, and intensity, and wildfire seasons are becoming longer.

NSW is always guided by the experts. It's not for politicians to decide how we manage hazard reduction or back burning operations.

Fire, if neglected, will soon gain strength.

Maintaining healthy forests is essential to those who make a living from the land and for those of us who use them for recreational purposes.

The closest fires were near enough for us to hear the crackling flames and the yells of firemen. Little fires grew into big ones even as we watched. Big ones died down under the firemen's valor only to break out again later.

I'm cautious about using fire. It can become theatrical. I am interested in the heat, not the flames.

It is that range of biodiversity that we must care for - the whole thing - rather than just one or two stars.

The forests shall not be burned needlessly.

California must be a really big fan of the 'Hunger Games.' Because it's always catching fire.

If we allow responsible management of our forests and end the nonsense litigation from radical environmental groups, we can get our timber mills up and running, reduce the risk of wildfires, and ensure healthier forests and cleaner air.

Dense overgrown forests and rangelands have grown like a cancer. They need to be treated.

Decrying the mismanagement that led to the summer's catastrophic wildfires: The Clinton administration didn't cause these fires, but their policies have left the Forest Service under-funded and under-prepared for this crisis. I don't think it's a conspiracy, but it's a philosophy they have that leads to explosive fires that destroy everything.