Hold off wildfires

Western wildfires emit millions of tons of greenhouse gases, propelling harmful climate change and air and water pollution while destroying homes and businesses. As the wildfires burn again, and at increasing rates, Gov. Jerry Brown, other governors out West and President Obama have again failed to properly respond to put these fires out fast in spite of their stated concerns about climate change and the emissions of greenhouse gases emitted when hundreds of thousands of acres are allowed to burn. Better to fly off to Alaska and be satisfied with clearly underfunded firefighting resources while the Western U.S. burns along.

Sensible Americans need to demand more proactive leadership from our elected officials if greenhouse gases from uncontrolled wildfires are to be reduced and if we are to quickly end the serious, long-term environmental and economic consequences from these fires. Citizens need to call Obama and Brown and tell them to start acting like the government officials we thought we elected to lead, instead of golfing in Martha’s Vineyard and flying to Alaska to show what regular guys they are.

Alan DiCara, Winchester, Conn.