Wildfire risk in Western states could escalate dramatically due to President Trump's elimination of over 2,000 Forest Service jobs, according to fired employees and officials. The layoffs target probationary workers responsible for trail maintenance, fuel reduction projects, and fire mitigation funding – critical roles in preventing catastrophic blazes.
Former partnership coordinator Tanya Torst, who secured $12 million for wildfire prevention in California, emphasized public safety impacts.
This is 100% a safety thing,she told reporters, referencing the deadly 2018 Camp Fire. Her position was terminated weeks before becoming permanent.
The USDA claims staffing cuts prioritize efficiency while preserving safety roles, but Forest Service layoffs include:
- Wildfire fuel removal teams
- Trail maintenance crews vital for firefighter access
- Grant specialists securing prevention funds
Washington Rep. Kim Schrier warned on social media: Fire season is comingas states scramble to address diminished federal support. Montana’s Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest lost critical staff managing community protection zones where forests meet towns.
Without these projects, fires will reach communities faster and with greater intensity,said fired environmental planner Melanie Mattox Green. Meanwhile, training programs for seasonal firefighters face delays, with wilderness ranger Gregg Bafundo noting:
We can’t train while the fire is burning over the hill.
The Trump administration’s decision coincides with funding freezes for Biden-era prevention programs and a 23% increase in annual wildfires since 2000, per federal climate data. With 63% of Forest Service personnel assisting firefighting indirectly – through trail access management or prescribed burn planning – experts predict slower emergency responses and larger burn areas.