Restore U.S. Forestry Positions to Mitigate Wildfire Risks

Today I take pen in hand to write and urge you to do whatever you can to block the termination of thousands of U.S. Forest Service employees. This action, started by the Trump administration, and ignored by Republicans jeopardizes our ability to prevent and combat wildfires effectively. Secretary Brooke Rollins supports Trump’s directive to fire about 2,000 “probationary, non-firefighting employees,” which he said was for efficiency’s sake, and runs contrary to what anyone says about the need for ‘better forest management’.   The layoffs have reduced the workforce responsible for crucial tasks like maintaining trails, removing combustible debris, and supporting firefighting efforts. Funds have also been frozen for wildfire prevention programs. This administration, from the top to the Republican controlled Congress, is putting lives, property and infrastructure at risk in a climate unstable, warming world, a side effect of our use of fossil fuels. With fewer resources dedicated to wildfire mitigation, communities across the American West face an increased risk of destructive blazes, especially in areas where towns border forest lands. We urge you to block these layoff, unfreeze the funds, and indeed work to provide additional resources crucial for wildfire prevention. Thank you.