Jonathon Berman, jonathon.berman@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- In an interview with Breitbart Radio today discussing the California wildfires that have claimed 80 lives, left more than 1,000 people missing, and destroyed countless homes and communities, embattled Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke lashed out and sought to blame environmentalists. This comes just after Zinke returned from a trip visiting communities devastated by the fires where he restrained himself from making remarks such as this or ones he had previously (also on Breitbart radio) when he claimed America is being “held hostage by these environmental terrorists groups.”
In response, Sierra Club Lands Protection Director Athan Manual released the following statement:
“Our thoughts remain with the thousands of people who have lost loved ones, their homes, and their communities. Our focus must be on finding the more than 1,000 people still missing and helping all of those devastated by these fires recover. Perhaps it’s the numerous investigations, the potential criminal charges eating at him, or the fact that he still doesn’t even know what department the forest service is under, but Ryan Zinke would best be served by focusing on the people rather than making disgusting and dangerous accusations.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.