President Obama released his proposed budget framework for FY 2010 this week, which includes $50 million increase for the U.S. Forest Service. Specific funding levels for State and Private Forestry are not yet available. The proposed budget funds fire suppression activities at the 10-year average and provides $282 million in a contingency fund for emergency fire suppression needs to address mounting fire suppression costs that have forced the Forest Service to 'borrow' millions of dollars from other agency programs.