TUCSON, Ariz. – Today, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva released the following statement:

“As drought and extreme temperatures intensify, it is clear that catastrophic wildfires are becoming an extraordinary frequent threat, especially to Arizona. I applaud the deployment of ground crews, air support, and coordinated suppression efforts to protect Tohono O’odham communities and Kitts Peak observatory from the Contreras Fire. I ask that Governor Ducey support any requests for declaration of a state of emergency, if deemed necessary, to provide expanded resources to meet the current efforts and any post recovery needs for the impacted areas.”

“Climate change is driving the frequency and ferocities of wildfires that are ravaging our nation and threatening our communities. We cannot continue to ignore the blatant signs of climate change. I applaud yesterday’s announcement by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland of the allocation of $103 million in fiscal year 2022 for wildfire risk reduction efforts throughout the country from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the establishment of an interagency wildland firefighter health and wellbeing program.”

“I will continue working with our federal partners, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Forestry and Wildfire Management and Tohono O’odham Nation leadership to ensure they have the firefighting and post fire resources needed to fight the Contreras fire, including post recovery needs, and to lead efforts in Congress to move forward urgently needed climate change legislation to protect our communities.”