On the recordSeptember 17, 2015
I rise as a member of the Safe Climate Caucus to note the extraordinary damage done by wildfires in Washington State this summer. It is a fact that our climate is changing. We just had one of the driest springs and summers in more than a century that led to trees and vegetation becoming kindling for the massive fires that we have seen. The largest wildfire in our State's history hit central Washington, forcing thousands to flee and putting firefighters in harm's way. We have a wildfire that continues to smolder in Olympic National Park, a rain forest. From Washington to California, brave emergency responders have spent this summer on the front lines, battling flames, with no signs of abating. I believe it is time we pay attention to these warning signs. If we want a better future for our kids, if we want to protect the communities in which we live, then we need to confront the threats of climate change. ____________________
