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Budget Cuts Could Leave Louisiana Vulnerable To Wildfires

WILDFIRE VULNERABILITY - Cuts to Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture could impact wildfire fighting resources.
Courtesy: US Forestry Services
WILDFIRE VULNERABILITY - Cuts to Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture could impact wildfire fighting resources.
WILDFIRE VULNERABILITY - Cuts to Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture could impact wildfire fighting resources.
Credit Courtesy: US Forestry Services
/
Courtesy: US Forestry Services
WILDFIRE VULNERABILITY - Cuts to Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture could impact wildfire fighting resources.

FIREFIGHTING FUNDS - Wildfires have been in the news over the past few weeks,  there was the tragic fire in Gatlinburg, Tennessee where 14 people lost their lives.  Recent wildfires in Texas were to blame for two deaths and other wildfires have occurred in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado.   Red River Radio listeners should remember the wildfires that burned parts of East Texas, SW Arkansas, and Louisiana two years ago.  With that in mind, recent budget cuts to Louisiana's Department of Agriculture could impact wildfire fighting resources.  As it stands now,  the department is short-staffed and only has fifty-three/ two-man firefighting teams to handle wildfires in the entire state.  Recent outcomes from Louisiana's last Special Session have lawmakers eyeing the chance to tap into dedicated funds to reduce the state deficit and Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain has concerns. 

Credit Courtesy: La. Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry
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Courtesy: La. Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry

Coutesy: La. Dept. of Agriculture & Forestry
Mike Strain, Commissioner - Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
Credit Coutesy: La. Dept. of Agriculture & Forestry
/
Coutesy: La. Dept. of Agriculture & Forestry
Mike Strain, Commissioner - Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry

BUDGET CUTS TO FIREFIGHTING RESOURCES - The recent outcomes of Louisiana's last Special Legislative Session have lawmakers considering tapping into dedicated funds for the budget deficit. This possibility concerns Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner, Mike Strain.

Copyright 2017 Red River Radio

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' experience to Red River Radio having started out as a radio news reporter and moving into television journalism as a newsmagazine producer / host, talk-show moderator, programming director and managing producer and news director / anchor for commercial, public broadcasting and educational television. He has more recently worked in advertising, marketing and public relations as a writer, video producer and media consultant. In pursuit of higher learning, Chuck studied Mass Communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.