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The Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming addressed our nation's energy, economic and national security challenges during the 110th and 111th Congresses.

This is an archived version of the committee's website, where the public, students and the media can continue to access and learn from our work.
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Select Committee to Examine Link Between Changing Climate, Frequency and Intensity of Wildfires on Thursday

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR 10 AM THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2007

Contact: Select Committee, 202-225-4012

A Spark Neglected: Wildfires and Global Warming

Select Committee to Examine Link Between Changing Climate, Frequency and Intensity of Wildfires


“A spark neglected makes a mighty fire.”
--Robert Herrick

Following the devastating fires in Southern California, the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming will hold a hearing examining the scientific link between a changing climate and the frequency and intensity of wildfires.

Witnesses will discuss the present effects of climate change on wildfires and contributing factors such as increased drought, changes in snowmelt patterns, changes in precipitation, and higher temperatures.  In addition, mitigation and adaptation strategies will be discussed.

The frequency and intensity of wildfires have increased in recent decades throughout the Western United States.  Last year, the Forest Service spent a record $2.5 billion fighting wildfires that burned a record 9.9 million acres (4 million hectares), compared to the ten-year average of 6 million acres.  This year 8.7 million acres have burned thus far. The current fires burning in California are expected to cause over $1 billion in property damage alone and have already burned an area the size of Rhode Island.  Mounting scientific evidence indicates that the growth in wildfires is linked to global warming and that this trend is likely to intensify in the coming decades.  

WHAT: Select Committee Hearing, "Wildfires and the Climate Crisis"

WHEN: Thursday, November 1st, 2007, 10 AM

WHERE: 2172 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC
        Or on the web at globalwarming.house.gov

WHO:

  • Abigail Kimbell, Chief, U.S. Forest Service
  • Dr. Steven Running, Professor of Ecology, University of Montana
  • Michael Francis, Director of Forest Program and Deputy Vice President,  Wilderness Society
  • Dr. Michael Medler, Member of Firefighters United for Safety Ethics and Ecology, Assistant Professor at Huxley College

 
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PLEASE NOTE: The House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming was created to explore American clean energy solutions that end our reliance on foreign oil and reduce carbon pollution.

The Select Committee was active during the 110th and 111th Congresses. This is an archived version of the website, to ensure that the public has ongoing access to the Select Committee record. This website, including external links, will not be updated after Jan. 3rd, 2010.

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