Dianne Feinstein

I am very concerned that the Taliban is on its way to becoming a narco-cartel.

I think it is extraordinarily important that we find a way that our top flag officers can communicate with their counterparts.

It is NOT the way Senator Feinstein developed her California Desert Wilderness and National Monument bill.

This measure, I believe, sets a dangerous precedent by invalidating the endangerment finding on greenhouse gas pollution. I strongly oppose it. I wish to make the public health argument. What is an ``endangerment finding''? Simply put, it…

Well, let me say--and you know this. You don't need to hear this from me, but this is a big issue in the West.

You're looking at the National Guard units as well. Is that correct? Because that's been a successful model, I think, in the past.

I am pressing. That's a question.

If there is another beginning like a Station Fire start, can you get a tanker or a helicopter at night?

I trust that will be the case when the Santa Anas are blowing this year.

The conclusion in the review that was undertaken, that essentially you can't conclude it would have made a difference if you had used night-time craft...

As long as it's not as much as in California.

According to the documentation you provided my staff in preparation for this hearing, no aircraft actually flew over the fire on the night of August 26.

We're facing risk from extended draught, insect and disease infestation, and global warming.

The Station Fire is only one example of how devastating these fires can be.

California is a very fire-prone State. It is hot. It is dry. The winds blow.

We have to do better.

The Interior Department's budget cuts $44 million from your hazardous fuels reduction budget--a 21 percent cut--for a total of $162 million.

I think the point I want to make is that this is a real priority, and we're going to continue to do our level best within our allocation.

There is nothing like having your house burn down, nothing, other than, I think, dying, that really strikes people.

I think that's excellent.

According to the documentation, again provided to the subcommittee, personnel at the fire requested three air tankers and a helicopter to be flying over the fire by 7 in the morning of August 27.

For me, the lightning strikes that summer--I guess a year ago--I've never seen anything like it in Northern California, 1,000 fires started from lightning strikes at one time, one day. So it's a big problem.

I really want to keep it that way.

My own thinking is that fires are not going to get better. They're going to get worse.

Madam Chair, I appreciate all the leadership you've brought to this issue for many years now.