U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is calling for "bold action" to boost drought and wildfire resilience in communities as he finishes a three-day West Coast swing with a farm tour in California's San Joaquin Valley, reports Western Farm Press.
Vilsack began the swing Tuesday, Aug. 2, in Oregon. During his remarks in Oregon, Vilsack said the current historic drought and wildland fires are "anything but normal" and that growers are experiencing the climate crisis firsthand.
“While we work together to put out the fires in front of us, we must also take bold action to increase the long-term resilience of communities at risk for wildfire in the face of climate change," Vilsack said.
"USDA is committed to working with partners at all levels to support communities in their recovery and increase the scale of forest restoration and fuel reduction activities.”
