Ranking Member Robert Garcia Demands Answers from Dept. of Agriculture After Drastic Cuts to Wildfire Firefighter Personnel As Millions of Acres Burn Across Country
Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a letter to Brooke Rollins, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, demanding answers on drastic cuts to staffing at the U.S. Forest Service, including firefighters, administrative personnel, and others who contribute to disaster preparedness. He is also demanding the agency provide all documentation and communications regarding staffing reductions and the “Fork in the Road” program, the Trump Administration’s program that offered two million federal employees a buyout.
"Our federal wildland firefighters are on the frontlines of our battle against natural disasters, yet the Trump Administration continues to slash essential personnel, even as we face longer and ever more dangerous wildfire seasons,” said Ranking Member Robert Garcia. “In my home state of California, we know how vital Forest Service firefighters are in preventing destruction and saving lives when wildfires strike. The Department of Agriculture owes the American people answers on why the agency is understaffed and how they plan to safeguard communities nationwide, especially as millions of acres continue to burn across the country. We will not stop until these vacancies are filled and our firefighters have the full support they deserve."
“The Forest Service plays a vital role in fighting wildfires, with seasonal and permanent firefighters working alongside state and local first responders, as well as firefighters from other agencies, to respond to worsening wildfires across the country. Forest Service firefighters were essential in responding to the devastating fires in California in January, with hundreds on the frontlines in Altadena and Pasadena. The Trump Administration’s staffing decisions are exacerbating an already dire situation: The Forest Service’s firefighting capacity has been dangerously hampered by Department of Government Efficiency and Trump Administration layoffs, deferred resignations, and other early retirements and resignations just as climate change is extending the fire season,” wrote Ranking Member Garcia in the letter.
The letter outlines the impacts these vacancies have for disaster preparedness.
“Extensive vacancies hinder overall community preparedness as firefighters are forced to go without the resources they need, including proper access to food and other critical supplies. One crew leader in Oregon told Reuters that their team of firefighters suffered, including going hungry for days, not having adequate medical supplies, and even having to “scrounge for chainsaw fuel” to do their jobs after the loss of support staff. Lost staff include administrative and human resources personnel, food service and sanitation workers, scientists, foresters, meteorologists, and others with deep institutional knowledge that help firefighters do their jobs. These staffing cuts and vacancies have firefighters covering tasks, such as answering phones and cleaning toilets, rather than fighting fires,” wrote Ranking Member Garcia in the letter.
Click here to read the letter to Brooke Rollins, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.
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