Sylvester Turner: “I rise to honor the efforts of thousands of firefighters who have struggled against one of the worst fire seasons in…”

“I rise to honor the efforts of thousands of firefighters who have struggled against one of the worst fire seasons in decades. In Texas we saw over 31,000 fires destroy almost 600,000 acres of forests, grasslands, homes, and businesses. The wildfires that swept across East Texas this summer were part of a nation-wide fire season that burned almost 7 million acres, equal to the entire state of Maryland. It is difficult to imagine the destruction we would have witnessed if it were not for the thousands of brave men and women who fought the fires that threatened their homes and their communities. Without the work of these firefighters, many more acres would have been reduced to charred fields and skeletal homes. Many more forests would have been left smoldering, and many more lives would have been put in grave danger. I offer my heartfelt gratitude to every person who took part in the dangerous fight to combat these devastating fires. Their work in protecting our lives, our families, our property, and our environment is deeply appreciated by all East Texans.”