Feds send $930 million to curb ‘crisis’ of US West wildfires

By MATTHEW BROWN
Associated Press

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Biden administration is directing $930 million toward reducing wildfire dangers in 10 western states by clearing trees and underbrush from national forests. The move is set to be announced Thursday and comes as government officials have struggled to contain destructive infernos being made worse by climate change. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack warned that “draconian” budget cuts floated by some Republicans who control the U.S. House could undermine the Democratic administration’s ambitions to lower wildfire risks. The work is projected to cost up to $50 billion. Last year’s climate and infrastructure bills combined included about $5 billion for the task.