JULY 21 – Amid a growing wildfire crisis across the United States, concerns have intensified about the readiness and support of federal fire crews. Firefighters on the front lines are reportedly being asked to take on non-fire-related duties like cleaning public restrooms and mowing lawns due to a shortage of support staff following significant workforce reductions in recent years. Critics have linked these issues to Trump administrative decisions that slashed essential personnel across the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), leaving fire crews stretched thin during one of the most active wildfire seasons in over a decade.
While officials from the USFS maintain that the agency is fully prepared for what experts predict will be an above-average fire year, accounts from current and former employees suggest otherwise. They report severe staffing shortages, gaps in basic field support, and a heavier workload for remaining firefighters—many of whom are forced to juggle operational and logistical responsibilities once handled by a now-depleted support team.
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Workforce Cuts Create Operational Gaps
Roughly 15% of the USFS workforce, equating to about 5,000 employees, have exited the agency in the past five months, according to internal discussions and personnel reports. These losses followed a series of buyouts and early retirements under the Trump administration, which aimed to streamline the agency by cutting non-fire-related jobs. However, firefighters and those backing them say the reductions have led to serious problems on the ground.
In Oregon and New Mexico, frontline crews have reported being left without critical supplies and support. One crew leader working a blaze in Oregon described a situation where her team went without proper food or medical supplies for several days. The crew even struggled to find enough fuel for chainsaws due to the absence of logistical personnel who normally manage those resources. “Some of our team members went to sleep hungry after 16-hour shifts,” she said, requesting anonymity due to concerns about job security.
The exodus of support staff—such as biologists, trail builders, campground workers, and office administrators—has meant that those who remain are often required to assist with fire season duties. These staff members are usually cross-trained with “red cards” that certify them for wildfire roles. However, as many have now left the agency or opted out of the extra responsibility, gaps are becoming increasingly visible.
Fire crews are reportedly having to take on menial tasks like answering phones, cleaning campgrounds, and handling administrative work at ranger stations—all while fires burn uncontrolled across multiple states. A fire duty officer from New Mexico emphasized the issue, saying even experienced firefighters were pulled away from operational duties to cover basic tasks abandoned by departed support staff.
Agency Maintains Readiness, But Concerns Persist
Despite the challenges, the Forest Service insists it is equipped to handle the current wildfire situation. Officials have pointed to the near completion of a goal to hire over 11,000 wildland firefighters by mid-July, noting that they are only slightly behind last year’s staffing levels. Public affairs representatives have also attributed isolated logistical issues, like food shortages, to temporary hiccups such as vendor changes.
Leadership within the agency has urged fire managers to maximize use of all qualified personnel. The Forest Service Chief recently instructed managers to deploy all “red-carded” staff, calling the current fire season “extremely challenging” and requiring full mobilization of resources. The agency’s forecast units have predicted intense fire activity across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the northern Rockies—regions that are already seeing rapid fire growth and community evacuations.
However, many frontline workers argue that the support system is simply not strong enough to meet the growing demands. A fire official from the Pacific Northwest said support crews were told to focus on timber sales and energy projects instead of assisting firefighting efforts. This decision, he said, puts unnecessary pressure on an already overburdened firefighting force. “They tell us we’re getting all the support we need, but that doesn’t reflect what’s happening on the ground,” he explained.
In a July meeting with Western state governors, the Agriculture Secretary reiterated the agency’s commitment to reaching its firefighter hiring targets. As of late June, over 11,200 firefighters had been hired, nearly achieving the stated goal. Still, lawmakers and fire advocacy groups remain concerned. One senator from New Mexico criticized what he described as indiscriminate staff buyouts and poor planning that left many fire-qualified workers out of action.
Not everyone agrees there is a problem. Some former agency leaders say their checks with field teams have not revealed significant issues. Still, those actively working fires say they’re being forced to fill too many roles at once, risking burnout and inefficiency. Riva Duncan, a seasoned fire officer now working with an advocacy group, said the agency is leaning heavily on remaining firefighters to cover multiple responsibilities. “They’re not just putting out fires,” she said, “they’re mowing lawns and cleaning bathrooms too.”