WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden is set to temporarily raise pay for federal firefighters to ensure that no one fighting wildland fires is making less than $15 per hour, according to a senior administration official.Biden planned to announce plans for the higher pay -- and other moves to boost U.S.
wildfire-fighting capacity and prevention efforts -- as he holds a virtual meeting Wednesday with governors from Western states to discuss what is shaping up to be a torrid wildfire season.
In addition, a huge swath of the Northwest is in the midst of one of the worst heat waves in recent memory.Biden has expressed dismay at the starting pay for federal firefighters.