USDA Report: 2014 Cost of Fighting Fires Will Exceed Available Funding

According to a Congressionally-mandated report issued today, the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior (DOI) are projected to spend over $470 million more than is available to fight wildfires this season. According to the report, the Forest Service and Interior may need to spend $1.8 billion fighting fires this year, while the agencies have only $1.4 billion available for firefighting. "The forecast released today demonstrates the difficult budget position the Forest Service and Interior face in our efforts to fight catastrophic wildfire," said Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie.