Mark Kelly & Ruben Gallego Request Wildfire Recovery Funding for Federal Lands

Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined eight other officials in requesting federal funding to address wildfire damage on public lands across the western United States.

In a letter sent November 20 to Senate Appropriations Committee leaders, the group asked that emergency disaster funding bills include resources for wildfire recovery on federal property, including National Parks, National Forests, and Bureau of Land Management lands (BLM).

The letter explained that federal lands in multiple western states have experienced significant wildfire damage this year. In recent events, the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires burned over 200,000 acres in the Grand Canyon's North Rim and Kaibab National Forest, destroying structures including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. 

Other affected areas include Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado, Joshua Tree National Park in California, New Mexico's Gila National Forest, and Oregon's Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. 

Approximately one million acres of BLM land burned across the West this year.

Recovery Efforts

Recovery efforts will require removing hazard trees, assessing roads and bridges, replacing structures, and repairing trails. 

The senators noted that, while the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coordinates wildfire response on state, tribal, or private lands, federal land agencies manage their own recovery efforts and require congressional appropriations.

Additionally, the letter emphasized multiple aspects of federal land value. 

"Gateway communities rely on the tourism generated by National Parks and other federal lands for economic development and employment opportunities," they wrote. 

They also noted that federal lands contain tribal sites and serve environmental functions, stating, "Our watersheds originate in national forests and on public lands—promoting wildfire recovery on these lands helps mitigate water pollution for communities downstream."

The senators indicated they will work with federal agencies and local officials to identify specific reconstruction needs and priority areas for recovery.