Despite the U.S. Forest Service’s assertion that it met its 2024 firefighter hiring goals, those on the ground report severe shortages, especially in experienced staff, as wildfires continue to burn millions of acres across the country.
The U.S. reached Preparedness Level 5 in July, signaling a national strain on firefighting resources.
Firefighters report that many crews are understaffed, with essential equipment and leadership roles unfilled.
Low pay and high risks are driving experienced firefighters away, leaving gaps that worsen fire response.
Key quote:
“The system is being stressed and can’t deal with it. Now, it depends on the weather and site conditions whether these fires will be put out before they burn down houses and so on. We’ve effectively lost our asses and are triaging”
— Morgan Thomsen, union steward and Forest Service firefighter
Why this matters:
The depletion of skilled wildland firefighters threatens the ability to control fires effectively, raising the risk of widespread destruction. This ongoing issue underscores the need for better support and retention strategies in the firefighting workforce.
President Biden is giving federal wildland firefighters a significant raise for the next two fiscal years, as agencies face difficulty hiring in western states and an already-severe wildfire season is underway.
