The Iron County Republican Party fully supports the Iron County Commissioners’ call for immediate federal action in response to the wildfire crisis. Fires such as the Monroe Canyon Fire and the Deer Creek Fire, which have burned thousands of acres across southern Utah, highlight the growing dangers posed by long-term federal mismanagement of public lands. These fires have threatened homes, destroyed critical grazing areas, and strained the resources of our rural communities.
If federal agencies cannot manage these lands responsibly, we call on them to relinquish control to the State of Utah, where local officials can implement proactive thinning, fuels reduction, and forest health practices without the endless delays of federal red tape.
We also urge the Utah government to charge the federal government for the costs our state incurs responding to such fires. Utah taxpayers should not be left footing the bill for the failures of federal land policy.
In the meantime, we call for increased cooperation between state and federal officials to find solutions for our ranching families, many of whom are being displaced from traditional grazing areas due to wildfire damage and federal inaction. Restoring grazing access and protecting Utah’s agricultural economy must be a priority while federal lands are brought under their rightful management by the state.
Lastly, we encourage Utah’s congressional delegation to continue pushing for legislation that returns land management authority to the states, where it remains under the stewardship of the American people—not distant bureaucracies, or foreign interests. Empowering state and local leadership will also allow the wildland and wildfire personnel who are already working diligently in our region to carry out their responsibilities more effectively, without unnecessary delays and restrictions from Washington. The current system is costing us too much—economically, ecologically, and culturally.
The time for action is now.
Iron County Republican Party Executive Committee
