After smelling smoke all day Saturday from several wildfires in western North Carolina, it was a relief to have a bit of rain Sunday morning. We had a wildfire threatening the farm years ago and I remember how scary it was and how local residents and members of the Forest Service worked to contain and at last put out the fire.
Remember when the orange guy blamed California for their wildfires because they didn't do the proper maintenance, like raking leaves? Well, that same orange guy and his Department of Governmental Efficiency (what a joke that name is) have fired thousands of Forest Service personnel and enacted a hiring freeze. (Good article HERE.) And in this hottest and driest of times,wildfires are burning nationwide more than ever with fewer resources to fight them.
Dear Sen./Rep. __________,
As wildfires fill the air with smoke, I wonder if you are on board with the administration's hiring freeze and firing of over three thousand Forest Service employees--those same folks who work to control wildfires.
The willful blindness of many politicians and the so-called DOGE to the problems of those of us who aren't millionaires or billionaires is on display everywhere--cutting staff at the Social Security offices and saying that only a fraudster would complain if her SS check were late is one egregious example.
So, where do you stand?
8 comments:
The terrible wildfire in SC was set by teenage hikers. A negligent accident that has burned thousands of acres in the part of SC where I was born and grew up. All of Virginia is bone dry right now and authorities have ordered people to do no outdoor burning. We have a neighbor who likes to gather all the fallen twigs from his yard and make an outdoor fire with them, but I'm hoping he will refrain this time. We're supposed to have a thunderstorm today or this evening, and everyone is eagerly awaiting it.
I'm so glad it's finally raining here...and more will be coming with winds as the front comes through. But having wetness first is so good to see. I do hope it's helping dampen the fires. So many other crews have come from all over the country.
I am appreciating rain today because it is washing away some of the snow and ice from the weekend.
Wildfires must be very scary. We get them on moorland here, and it has been very dry of late. There are few homes and buildings on the moorland, thankfully.
Great letter I hope you sent it.
I did.
My heart goes out to you and all who are suffering.
We had a glorious soaking rain and don't smell smoke anymore!
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