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White House Asking Congress To Protect Funds Set Aside For Wildfire Prevention

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says the Obama administration is asking Congress to change the way the federal government spends money to fight wildfires.

Earnest says that under the current funding system, the Forest Service and parts of the Interior Department are using money "that was originally dedicated to preventing forest fires to actually fight the forest fires."

Earnest says that's a flawed strategy because when less money is devoted to wildfire prevention, it means more will have to be spent on firefighting.

He said Tuesday that the White House has asked Congress to change the funding system so programs that go toward preventing wildfires can be protected, while making sure there are sufficient resources to assist state and local firefighters who are trying to protect lives and property.

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