Washington, D.C. — Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement in response to the devastating Dragon Bravo Wildfire at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon:

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon continues to burn out of control, with nearly 9,000 acres ablaze and over 70 structures destroyed, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.

As the dean of the Arizona congressional delegation and the Chair of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, I have a responsibility to obtain answers to questions related to the policy and resource mismanagement decisions that led to the Dragon Bravo Wildfire to burn uncontrolled.

Today, I sent a letter to United States Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum requesting prompt collaboration to identify the policies that exacerbated the rapid spread of the Dragon Bravo Wildfire, and the immediate actions needed to correct any improper resource management that may have intensified the wildfire rather than it being extinguished.  In that regard, I am seeking answers from the Department of Interior to the following questions:

• Which federal agencies are involved in the response to the Dragon Bravo Wildfire?
• Who made the decision to treat the Dragon Bravo Wildfire as a controlled burn versus deploying the assets to immediately extinguish it?
• What is the projected economic impact of the closure of the North Rim, loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge, and temporary closure of recreational trails?
• Had hazard mitigation and fuel reduction operations been conducted at the North Rim prior to the start of wildlife seasons?
• Are new hazard mitigation techniques being considered, including logging on park lands?
• Who was responsible for monitoring atmospheric and weather changes that facilitated the rapid spread of the flames?
• When was the North Rim Water Treatment Facility identified as a risk for loss of fire retardant prior to its capture in the fire?

I cannot be silent as the wildfire continues to burn uncontrolled.  I have an obligation to conduct congressional oversight and obtain answers for all Arizonans including the brave firefighters risking their lives to control this inferno,” concluded Congressman Paul Gosar.

A copy of the full text of the letter can be read by clicking here.