Forest Service Under Fire: Silence on Employee Firings Amidst Wildfire Briefing for Congress

An annual wildfire briefing held earlier this week took a different turn for Southwestern congressional staffers meeting with Forest Service officials. This year’s meeting occurred approximately a month earlier than usual, underscoring an acute wildfire risk in New Mexico and Arizona linked to ongoing climate change-related droughts and significantly low spring snowpack.

During the session, Forest Service officials presented alarming fire forecasts yet repeatedly deflected inquiries about staffing changes. Congressional aides reported that more than ten questions regarding fired and resigned employees went unanswered, with responses like, “We’ll have to send this to Washington and they will get back to you,” dominating the discussion. Such evasiveness has sparked frustration among staff members, prompting reflections on a changing dynamic between Congress and the Forest Service, as recent federal budget cuts under President Trump have led to tighter communication controls.

The meeting, lasting two and a half hours, markedly differed from previous years, where open discussions on wildfire preparedness were commonplace. Notably, the term “climate” was noticeably absent from the discourse. Forest Service slides presented during the briefing indicated a looming large fire season, driven by factors such as excessive temperatures, persistent droughts, and a dangerously low snowpack. Conditions are so dire that opportunities for prescribed burns are limited, according to the materials shared with attendees.

As tensions escalated among the roughly fifty attendees, reactions became apparent on video calls, with lower-level Forest Service employees visibly distressed. Online chat features were filled with complaints about the lack of transparency, revealing growing frustration among staff who felt critical safety questions about regional staffing and recent firings went ignored.

Another complication arose with nearly 5,700 probationary employees reportedly terminated by the United States Department of Agriculture, a staggering 75% of whom held “red cards” permitting them to engage in wildfire suppression if necessary. Legal challenges to these firings were introduced by two judges, declaring the dismissals illegal. The future status of these employees remains uncertain as the Merit Systems Protection Board has frozen any additional firings.

Concerns also mounted over potential closures of interagency wildfire dispatch centers in New Mexico, including facilities in Albuquerque and Silver City. These centers are crucial in managing wildfire outbreaks across vast stretches of the region, encompassing significant areas of Central New Mexico and parts of Texas and Oklahoma.

In a response to inquiries after the meeting, New Mexico State Forester Laura McCarthy addressed concerns via email, expressing confidence in staffing and resource adequacy, but acknowledged the formidable fire conditions facing the region. Meanwhile, Forest Service personnel claimed that 1,500 employees would be active at peak fire seasons, a statement met with skepticism from congressional aides contemplating the implications of potential weak points in staffing.

This annual pre-fire season briefing has historically been an essential platform for Congress to assess wildfire preparedness and response. However, the atmosphere this week starkly contrasted with its predecessors, raising concerns about communication breakdowns and the implications for wildfire management as the season progresses. Staff members noted an unprecedented level of absence in collaborative dialogue, attributing this to increasing restrictions imposed by the Washington office, which seemed more focused on controlling narratives than providing essential information.