The continuing resolution, or CR, that Congress must pass by September 30 should allow the Forest Service to reverse devastating cuts it has made to other programs in order to cover firefighting costs this season, according to an article in E&E News (subscription): The CR contains $775 million for the Forest Service and $135 million for the Bureau of Land Management for wildfire costs, according to a draft released by the House Appropriations Committee. *Update* The House passed the CR on Wednesday. More from E&E:

Of the Forest Service money, $500 million would go for fire suppression. That includes at least $300 million to be transferred to the agency within 15 days of the bill being signed into law so that all such transfers for wildfire suppression in fiscal 2008 are fully repaid and $100 million, also to be made available within 15 days, to repay transfers made for previous emergency wildfire suppression activities.

Another $175 million would go to hazardous fuels reduction in areas at high risk of catastrophic wildfires, including some on state and private lands. The bill also provides $75 million for rehabilitation and restoration of federal lands that may be transferred to other Forest Service accounts as necessary and $25 million for "preparedness for retention initiatives in areas at high risk of catastrophic wildfire that face recurrent staffing shortages."