This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Republican President Trump's 2018 budget proposal includes slashing $300 million from the United States Forest Service's wildfire fighting programs, a $50 million cut in wildfire prevention services and a 23 percent reduction of funds for volunteer fire departments.
Given Trump's climate change denial and total disregard for America's beautiful forests, this legislative lunacy could be disastrous. I wonder who Mike Noel will blame when another Brian Head Fire rears its ugly visage? Tree huggers don't create extreme heat or dangerous wind patterns. Scout camps, cabins, home and property owners will be lucky to get fire insurance that will cover them if Trump's budget is approved.
James Mone
Salt Lake City