SEATTLE — The recent termination notices issued to a significant number of employees at the U.S. Forest Service have raised alarm about the potential consequences for wildfire management and prevention in the American West. These layoffs mean a reduced workforce and fewer resources dedicated to combating and preventing wildfires, according to both impacted workers and officials.
The firings occurred following devastating fires that swept through Los Angeles last month, aligning with a broader trend of federal layoffs as part of the cost-cutting initiatives implemented by the Trump administration. Workers responsible for maintaining trails, managing flammable materials in forests, assisting firefighting efforts, and securing wildfire prevention funds have emphasized that these staffing reductions jeopardize public safety, particularly in regions where climate change is resulting in hotter and drier conditions, exacerbating wildfire intensity.
“I’m deeply concerned about this,” said Tanya Torst, a former partnership coordinator for the U.S. Forest Service in Chico, California, who was let go on February 14. Torst had been instrumental in raising nearly $12 million for projects aimed at removing hazardous fuels in the Mendocino National Forest. “This is fundamentally a safety issue,” she emphasized, referencing the tragic 2018 Paradise fire that claimed 85 lives in the area. “That’s why I’ve decided to speak out.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, overseeing the Forest Service, affirmed in a statement that Secretary Brooke Rollins endorses the plan to terminate around 2,000 non-firefighting employees in order to streamline operations. Rollins’ statement assured that vital safety roles would be retained, and essential services to the public would continue uninterrupted; however, it did not specifically address the roles of the terminated employees who had worked to mitigate wildfire risks.
Reports indicate that the Trump administration has put a freeze on funding earmarked for wildfire prevention programs introduced through legislation backed by former President Joe Biden. Nevertheless, the Interior Department noted that programs outside of that funding directive may continue as planned.
U.S. Representative Kim Schrier, a Democrat from Washington, voiced her concerns on social media, stating that the layoffs have already begun to negatively impact the state, warning that conditions are likely to worsen as fire season approaches. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has reported that these layoffs have compelled them to create contingency plans to respond to a diminished federal resource during the upcoming fire season.
Democratic senators have also raised alarms about the situation on the Senate floor this week. Colorado Senator Michael Bennet articulated the plight of communities across the West, highlighting that staffing cuts affecting Forest Service personnel who handle campfires and support wildfire management initiatives would lead to increased wildfire risks as spring approached.
Melanie Mattox Green, who held a position in land management and environmental planning at the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana, also expressed concern over the threats to towns near forest areas due to the loss of staff dedicated to fire prevention efforts. “Without preventative measures, any fire that ignites poses a greater danger to nearby communities,” she warned, pointing out the dwindling workforce’s impact on essential trail maintenance which is essential for enabling firefighter access in remote areas.
Workers like Josh Vega, who managed a vast network of trails in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, noted that many of those who were laid off have firefighting credentials that must be maintained annually. He recounted how his team responded to a wildfire earlier this year, managing the site until dedicated firefighting crews could arrive.
Luke Tobin, a former forestry technician of Nez Perce National Forest in Idaho, shared that many forest operation functions are about sustaining firefighting support, indicating that all staff contribute to fire management in some form, whether it’s prepping for prescribed burns or ensuring trail access.
Gregg Bafundo, who was recently laid off from his wilderness ranger post at Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest, spoke during a press conference led by Washington Senator Patty Murray, stressing the critical nature of the layoffs occurring at a pivotal time for fire preparedness. “This is when hiring happens and when firefighter certification renewal takes place. Training is essential for being ready to fight fires during the summer,” he explained, cautioning that there’s no opportunity to train once the fires start.
