Tom Harkin: “Dear Member of Congress: As current and former wildland firefighters, we urge you to oppose H.R. 1904, the misnamed…”

“Dear Member of Congress: As current and former wildland firefighters, we urge you to oppose H.R. 1904, the misnamed ``Healthy Forests Restoration Act,'' and instead, support S. 1453, the ``Forestry and Community Assistance Act'' as the best available legislative plan for the interconnected goals of improving the health, safety and working conditions of wildland firefighters, protecting communities, and restoring forests. Protecting homes and structures is one of the most dangerous assignments for wildland firefighters. We are basically forced to make a stand between the often unstoppable force of wildfire burning under extreme conditions, and the immovable objects of homes and structures. Added to the dangers is the fact that the area adjacent to homes and communities often have the highest fire risks and fuel hazards. And yet we must still protect these homes.”