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New federal agreement could devastate rural firefighting in OK

oklahomafarmreport.com

The U.S. Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency will no longer provide no-cost surplus military vehicles and equipment to fire departments across the country reported StateImpact Oklahoma.

State forestry officials say rural fire departments across Oklahoma could be devastated by this agreement.

Forestry officials estimate there are currently more than 8.800 vehicles and pieces of equipment used in rural areas of the state that have been obtained through the program.

George Geissler is a State Forester.  He says the goal of the elimination is to reduce emissions, however he warns greenhouse gas emissions from such vehicles "are marginal at best compared to emissions of an uncontrolled wildfire."