Governor of Maine wants to eliminate most wildfire funding

In order to help deal with the state’s $438 million budget shortfall, Jon Baldacci, the Governor of Maine, is proposing that nearly all  funding for wildfire suppression be eliminated. There is also a proposal to sell one of the newer helicopters owned by the Department of Conservation. Most of the helicopters the department operates are from the Vietnam war era.

As you probably know, there is a lot of this going around, with city, county, and state governments cutting or threatening to cut the budgets for their fire departments.

UPDATE Jan. 9:

The information above was obtained from the Maine Public Broadcasting Network.

Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. Please read the commenting rules before you post a comment.

Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

4 thoughts on “Governor of Maine wants to eliminate most wildfire funding”

  1. Well, he’ll likely change his tune when Maine’s forests burn unchecked and ruins the tourism. But of course then it will be too late. Just as Los Angeles residents about what happens when budgets get cut. Can you say “Station Fire?”

    0
    0
  2. Homeland security includes fighting fire. Will the governor then contract everything out to “stimulate” the economy after a wildfire comes through and shows the err in his decision?

    0
    0
  3. October 1947, I guess the Governor of Maine is not familiar with the history of his own state.

    0
    0

Comments are closed.