WP: U.S. Official Requested More Aircraft to Fight Fire Near Ranch
Michael Borren, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and the Environment, who oversees the U.S. Forest Service, has repeatedly asked agency staff to deploy additional aircraft to fight the Cabin Creek fire near his ranch in Idaho. This was reported by The Guardian, citing an investigation by The Washington Post.
The Cabin Creek fire broke out around July 12 due to an unattended campfire and spread over several acres in the Southut National Forest in Idaho. According to the Forest Service, the fire was 100% contained by July 15. The fire’s area was reported to be about 7 acres, or 2.8 hectares.
According to The Washington Post, Boren—who, the publication reports, owns a 480-acre ranch in the Southut National Recreation Area—contacted regional and national Forest Service officials several times during the fire. He asked why more aircraft were not being deployed to fight the fire. The publication notes that it reviewed official correspondence confirming Boren’s personal contacts with service officials.
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Six current and former Forest Service employees told the newspaper that the response was more extensive than usual for a fire of this size, which did not pose a significant threat to life or property. An analysis of flight paths conducted by The Washington Post showed that on July 12, approximately nine aircraft—including helicopters, tanker planes, and tactical aircraft—were deployed to the fire. According to the newspaper and two agency employees, at least some of the aircraft were redeployed from other fires in Idaho.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture stated that Boren reported a fire near his property but did not pressure officials or order additional resources to be directed to this or any other fires.
