Santa Fe Fire Chief, Erik Litzenberg Scheduled to Speak in Washington, DC to Provide Expert Opinion on Climate Change and Wildland Fires on July 30

City of Santa Fe Fire Chief, Erik Litzenberg will be in Washington, DC on Tuesday, July 30, to speak at the Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change Forum on Climate and Wildfires at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. Chief Litzenberg will represent the International Association of Fire Chiefs as well as the City of Santa Fe. Experts from around the country are going to testify before the Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change on the impact of climate change on wildland fires, and how they affect fire fighters, local responders, and at risk communities. The Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change is co-chaired by Representative Henry A. Waxman (CA) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI). The purpose of the task force is to create effective policy responses to the constant challenge of climate change and bring the issue congressional and public attention.

“The annual average number and size of fires have both increased significantly; and the issues of smoke, air quality and post fire flooding continue to grow,” said City of Santa Fe Fire Chief, Erik Litzenberg. “Wildland fire impacts local economies and now is a good time to address policies and behaviors as a culture and a community to keep up with these new paradigms.”