“Forest Service Cuts Threaten Wildfire Preparedness: How Trump’s Executive Orders Impact Firefighting Operations”
In a recent development, President Donald Trump’s executive orders to shrink the federal workforce have had a significant impact on the nation’s firefighting force. While there is an exception for public safety staff, including those who fight wildland fires, ongoing cuts, funding freezes, and hiring pauses have weakened the force by hitting support staff who play crucial roles in preventing and battling blazes.
The “Valentine’s Day massacre” in mid-February saw about 700 Forest Service employees terminated, many of whom were red-card-carrying staffers. These employees, who hold other full-time jobs in the agency, are trained to aid firefighting crews by providing logistical support during blazes and assisting with prescribed burns. Their loss has been described as having a significant impact on the firefighting force, as they are considered the backbone of the operation.
ProPublica spoke to employees across the Forest Service, revealing that cuts have affected various divisions within the agency, including recreation, wildlife, IT, and more. The Trump administration’s focus appears to be shifting away from environmental stewardship and towards industry and firefighting.
Despite Trump’s stated guardrails, the cuts have impacted the Forest Service’s firefighting force, which consists of over 10,000 personnel. Hiring has slowed down, training programs and prescribed burns have been canceled, and confusion reigns among employees about job titles that can be hired.
The Forest Service did not respond to questions about the impact of cuts, but it was confirmed that around 2,000 probationary employees were terminated in February. However, an independent federal board compelled the Department of Agriculture to reinstate more than 5,700 terminated probationary employees for 45 days.
The staffing issues within the Forest Service have exacerbated challenges that predate the current administration. The agency has paused the hiring of seasonal workers to address a budget shortfall, leading to uncertainty among employees and a potential exodus to other jobs.
Cuts to the agency’s legal department are also expected to curb its ability to care for the nation’s forests and fight wildfires. A smaller legal staff could lead to fewer prescribed burns, increasing the risk of catastrophic fires.
Overall, the Forest Service is facing significant challenges due to the ongoing cuts and restructuring efforts. The impact on the firefighting force and the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission of environmental stewardship and wildfire prevention is a cause for concern among employees and experts in the field.