In this week’s episode, host Kristin Hayes talks with Colin Foard, a manager at the Pew Charitable Trusts, about a new report that documents how efforts to reduce wildfire risks are stressing state budgets. Foard and Hayes acknowledge that figuring out how to pay for wildfire mitigation and recovery is critical for many levels of government; discuss how local, state, and federal governments collaborate on wildfire suppression; and walk through recommendations for reducing the costs of wildfire management.

References and recommendations:

“Wildfires: Burning through State Budgets” from the Pew Charitable Trusts; https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2022/11/wildfires-burning-through-state-budgets

“Disaster Recovery: Actions Needed to Improve the Federal Approach” from the US Government Accountability Office; https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-104956

“Highlights Hello” magazine; https://www.nappaawards.com/product/highlights-hello-magazine-by-highlights-for-children/