JON TESTER a United States Senate July 23, 2015 The Honorable Sally Jewell Secretary U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, D.C, 20240 Dear Secretary Jewell: Just last week, I sent a letter to President Obama urging his attention to the upcoming wildfire season across the West, and asking that he do everything necessary for his Administration to be prepared for what is already an active wildfire season. Unfortunately, that letter could not have been more timely. There is a wildfire raging in Glacier National Park that threatens one of our Country’s most beautiful landscapes, as well as the tourism industry it ereates in my home state. Equally important, this fire is now threatening to spill over onto the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The Reservation, located in Northwest Montana, is the home to the Blackfeet Nation and over 10,000 inhabitants. We have a trust, responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of the Blackfeet Nation, as well as ensure that they have the resources necessary to protect and preserve their homelands from this impending disaster. ‘The Tribe has reached out to the Bureau of Indian Affairs on several instances in an attempt to hire additional and needed firefighters in order to be prepared for the fire season. To date, they have been unsatisfied with the response they have been given, and no additional personnel have been hired. As you know, the Department is to prioritize early attack in preventing fires from becoming national disasters. Yet the BLA’s policy of only providing resources on a reimbursement basis to a Tribe whose financial difficulties are well known is counter to the Department's firefighting plans. I therefore ask that you ensure the Bureau of Indian Affairs is working closely with the Blackfeet Nation in preparing the necessary staff and resources in case the Reynolds Creek Fire enters the boundaries of the Reservation, which it is expected to do within a very short timeframe. (406) 252-0550 (40 726-2008 pena Jon Tester Boreas ure G.eowe Gren Fas Hexen Kavsres ta) 586-2450 (eas 23-2277 wo 3 2003 er a5 85 (eo aa ba (so) 257-2080 aunas scours