Wildfires are growing more extreme, yet the U.S. Forest Service just cut 2,000 trained workers, raising serious concerns about preparedness. While officials insist these weren't frontline firefighters, former employees and advocates warn the decision could leave communities at risk, USA Today reported.
What's happening?
The recent layoffs primarily affect probationary workers, a designation in the federal government referring to time of service in a particular role. They included trail crew members, camp staff, and other support personnel — many of whom had received firefighting training to supplement frontline crews in emergencies, when adequate trained personnel is needed most.
Although the administration asserts that no operational firefighters were let go, those impacted argue that wildfire preparedness depends on more than just frontline crews.
Support staff play a crucial role in emergency response beyond the useful functions of their regular work, such as forest maintenance that can prevent wildfires. Their absence could strain the system during peak fire season, potentially leading to longer response times and more destructive fires.
Why are the layoffs concerning?
Wildfire response requires a broad network of trained personnel — not just full-time firefighters but also seasonal and auxiliary workers who assist in emergencies.
Without these extra hands, small fires could escalate into catastrophic blazes, endangering homes, businesses, and lives.
"We're not in active duty but … the vast majority of folks who were laid off were able to act as fire resources as needed," Edith Robinson, a former Forest Service worker who was recently laid off, told USA Today.
Reports have shown how low firefighter wages and extreme conditions are straining the nation's ability to combat wildfires, leading to staffing shortages that could leave communities dangerously exposed.
These cuts come as fire seasons grow longer and more intense. Experts worry that reduced staffing will stretch already-thin resources, leaving some communities without adequate protection.
The effects of rising global temperatures — such as prolonged droughts, higher temperatures, and extreme weather — create the perfect conditions for wildfires to ignite and grow. Even those not fighting fires when they happen often play a role in wildfire prevention through maintenance, education, and general oversight to spot and react to small fires before they can become big ones.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
|
How should we protect workers from losing jobs to AI-powered robots?
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Financial assistance for job training 💰 "If you're concerned about what happened in Los Angeles, you should be very concerned with these mass layoffs or mass terminations," Robinson said. "We need as many people as possible who know how to fight fire."
What's being done about this?
Lawmakers and advocacy groups are pushing back against these cuts.
Colorado senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper have condemned the terminations, warning of "real and immediate consequences" for wildfire-prone states.
Meanwhile, environmental organizations are urging policymakers to reinstate positions and strengthen fire preparedness efforts rather than scaling them back.
Fortunately, some policies are addressing wildfire challenges. A Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated funding to wildfire prevention, including forest restoration, and the Biden administration pushed for firefighter pay increases and approved temporary boosts in 2021. On March 15, the Department of the Interior announced those pay increases became permanent under a Congressionally approved act signed by President Trump.
Additionally, state-level initiatives in California are bolstering firefighting resources through prescribed burns — controlled fires that clear dry vegetation before it becomes fuel for larger wildfires.
Other efforts focus on reducing risks before fires start. Expanding controlled burns, improving forest management, and increasing firefighter wages are all proven strategies for enhancing preparedness.
Homeowners in fire-prone areas can also take precautions by using fire-resistant landscaping and supporting local fire prevention efforts.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Cool Picks
