Decline in Wildfire Mitigation Efforts Under Trump Administration

The Trump administration has faced significant criticism regarding its management of wildfire prevention efforts, particularly in light of catastrophic wildfires across the United States. A recent analysis by the nonprofit organization Grassroots Wildland Firefighters revealed that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has drastically reduced its wildfire mitigation activities, including prescribed burns and tree thinning. In the first nine months of 2025, only 1.7 million acres were treated, a stark decline from the average of 3.6 million acres per year over the previous four years. Democratic Senators, including Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, have raised concerns about these reductions and the implications for public safety and health.

NOTUSMerkley, Klobuchar, Heinrich, Colleagues: Trump Staffing Cuts at Forest Service Threatening Wildfire Prevention Efforts Across the U.S.

The USFS has been grappling with persistent staffing shortages, exacerbated by cuts and firings under the Trump administration. As of summer 2025, approximately 27% of wildland firefighting positions remained vacant. Current and former Forest Service members have indicated that these staffing issues have hindered effective wildfire mitigation. Riva Duncan, a veteran firefighter, noted that uncertainty stemming from staffing cuts has led to a lack of progress in essential wildfire prevention work. The agency's workforce struggles are compounded by low pay and demanding job conditions, making recruitment and retention increasingly difficult.

NOTUSMerkley, Klobuchar, Heinrich, Colleagues: Trump Staffing Cuts at Forest Service Threatening Wildfire Prevention Efforts Across the U.S.

While the Trump administration has emphasized increasing timber sales as a method to reduce wildfire risk, experts have questioned the effectiveness of this approach. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum have linked timber sales to fire load reduction. However, experts like Camille Stevens-Rumann from Colorado State University argue that the trees most valuable for logging are not necessarily those that require thinning to mitigate fire risk. Matthew Hurteau, director of the Center for Fire Resilient Ecosystems and Society, echoed these concerns, stating that profitable logging areas often do not align with those needing urgent fuel-reduction treatments.

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In response to the alarming decline in wildfire mitigation efforts, Senators Merkley, Klobuchar, and Martin Heinrich have formally requested answers from USFS Chief Tom Schultz regarding staffing levels and the agency's plans to address these shortfalls. They highlighted that the Forest Service's claims of adequate resources and staffing do not align with the significant reductions in hazardous fuels reduction work. The Senators emphasized the need for the agency to collaborate closely with Congress to secure necessary funding and resources for wildfire mitigation.

Merkley, Klobuchar, Heinrich, Colleagues: Trump Staffing Cuts at Forest Service Threatening Wildfire Prevention Efforts Across the U.S.NOTUS

• “Instead of seizing every moment to prepare for and mitigate fires, the Trump administration has spent months undermining essential fuels mitigation work by firing hundreds of public servants at the Forest Service and cutting off critical federal funds that support fire prevention efforts across the West,” — Jeff Merkley, U.S. Senator

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• “The workforce is so shot out and depleted, they’ve even decreased expectations.” — Current Forest Service Manager

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• “Timber harvesting is for the biggest, oldest, largest trees, but when we do fuels reduction treatments, we’re often targeting those small trees.” — Camille Stevens-Rumann, Associate Professor

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The decline in wildfire mitigation efforts under the Trump administration raises serious concerns about public safety and environmental health. As the wildfire season intensifies, the effectiveness of current strategies, including timber sales, remains under scrutiny. The ongoing staffing shortages and operational challenges within the USFS necessitate immediate attention and action from both the agency and Congress to ensure adequate wildfire preparedness and response in the future.

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