Senate committee advances bill to establish two wildland fire modules, supporters seek PIO funding
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Summary
The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced House Bill 36 to establish two statewide wildland fire modules, with the governor's office and fire chiefs urging the addition of a public information officer and an administrative position not funded in the bill.
The Wyoming Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday advanced House Bill 36, a proposal to place two wildland fire modules in the state to speed initial attack, bolster fuels mitigation and support volunteer firefighters.
"We are fully in support of this bill," said Randall Luthy, the governor's policy director, who told the committee Wyoming is unusually dry and could face another major fire season. Luthy asked the committee to consider two additional positions not included in the bill: a public information officer and an administrative staffer to handle contracts and paperwork.
Madam Forster (committee witness) said Wyoming is responsible for 32,700,000 acres of state and private lands for wildfire suppression and described the modules as a way to save money by focusing on early attack and fuels mitigation. "For every dollar on mitigation, it's about $7 in return for fire suppression cost," she said, arguing the modules would both reduce suppression costs and allow crews to do fuels work when not actively fighting fires.
Local fire chiefs and rural officials testified in support. Chris Coker of the Wyoming Fire Chiefs and Rural Fire Association said the units allowed faster deployment and helped keep fires from escalating into incidents that require more expensive type 1 or type 2 teams. Multiple witnesses said volunteer availability and the strain of extended incidents motivated the request.
Supporters also emphasized gaps in incident communications. Kelly Norris said that in recent fires a lack of timely, coordinated information has contributed to confusion and risk: "We need that PIO to be there providing correct and accurate information, not only to the media but to the public."
During committee discussion, members debated whether to amend the bill to add the PIO; the sponsor said the floor of the full Senate would be the appropriate place for broader debate on that addition. The committee then took a roll-call vote on House Bill 36, recording two ayes and one no; two senators were excused. The bill was advanced to the full Senate.
Next steps: HB 36 will be considered by the full Senate, where members said they may discuss adding the public information officer and the administrative position.
