Hurricanes Affect NIFC Suppression Fund
Last year's hurricanes will have an impact on the upcoming fire season (from KCBITV.com).
BOISE - The Bush Administration has had high praise for the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise for its recent response to Hurricane Katrina.But the cost of that support could have a significant impact on how wildfires are fought this year.
Hurricane relief has cost a big chunk of change -- $103 million -- from the approximate $700 million emergency fund the Forest Service will be using for wildlife suppression this season.
"The money's gone," said NIFC spokeswoman Rose Davis. "What we need to do now is manage what money we have as wisely as we can."
If the fires in the southern plains are an indicator, this fire season could be nasty.
