Wildfire Season 2026: A Nation at a Crossroads
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the newly formed U.S. Wildland Fire Service are approaching the 2026 wildfire season amid conflicting developments. While seasonal firefighter hiring targets have been met, the agencies are operating with a reduced permanent workforce and under new federal policies that prioritize fire suppression and restrict preventive measures like prescribed burns.
Funding for state-level wildfire prevention grants has been delayed, and a major reorganization of the Forest Service, including the proposed closure of numerous research facilities, is underway.
Seasonal Hiring and Personnel
"We exceeded our target by 200 personnel, a direct result of recent pay raises." — Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz
The USFS reports it has exceeded its seasonal wildland firefighter hiring target for summer 2025, with 11,550 seasonal staff trained or ready to deploy. This exceeds the initial goal by 200 personnel and is 6% ahead of schedule compared to recent years.
However, these gains occur against a backdrop of significant permanent workforce reductions. The USFS lost 16% of its workforce as of summer 2025. In the first six months of 2025, 5,860 personnel left the agency due to administration downsizing efforts, including layoffs and buyouts. Among these departures were 1,400 staff with firefighting training.
On April 14, 2026, the federal government announced a 25% pay increase for firefighters working on prescribed burns.
Agency Reorganization and Facility Closures
"This reorganization is about fiscal responsibility and bringing employees closer to the land they manage." — Chief Tom Schultz
On March 31, the USFS announced a reorganization that includes evaluating the closure of over 100 research facilities. President Donald Trump's 2027 budget proposed zero funding for Forest Service research, a reduction from $309 million in 2026. The proposal includes moving the agency's headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, Utah, and closing all 10 regional offices.
Specific facilities slated for potential closure include:
- The Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Lab in Seattle, which develops real-time wildfire smoke mapping technology
- A Baltimore office that supported a wood recycling facility
According to the Forest Service Council of the National Federation of Federal Employees, 229 employees work in facilities slated for closure.
Chief Schultz stated the reorganization is necessary to achieve "fiscal responsibility" and cited a $3 billion deferred maintenance backlog for research buildings. He noted that previous administrations had considered reorganization since 2006 and that scientists may relocate to nearby offices.
The union representing Forest Service employees argues the reorganization violates a law requiring advance notification and approval from House and Senate appropriations committees. The union is currently negotiating with leadership.
Fire Prevention Policy and Funding
"We're dry, and we're expecting the pace to pick up significantly here any time." — Brian Fennessy, U.S. Wildland Fire Service
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service is preparing for what agency head Brian Fennessy described as "potentially one of the most severe fire seasons." The agency is increasing aircraft and crew deployments earlier than usual.
A Shift to Full Suppression
Federal policy has shifted toward a full suppression strategy for wildfires on federal land. On April 8, 2026, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued a memo adopting this approach and restricting prescribed burns. Forest Service Chief Schulz echoed this strategy at an April 16 budget hearing.
Data indicates a significant reduction in preventive vegetation management:
- 2025: USFS reduced hazardous vegetation on approximately 2.6 million acres
- 2024: Over 4 million acres
- 2025: Prescribed burning covered about 900,000 acres
- 2023 & 2024: Over 1.6 million acres each year
The agency attributed the drop to staff being occupied with firefighting and unsuitable environmental conditions for prescribed burns in the Southeast.
Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program
Funding for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program, established in 2022 with $1 billion over five years, has been delayed. The USFS has not released close to $20 million to Washington state groups, and 22 states and two Tribes were promised $200 million through the program but have not yet received funds.
The delay is attributed to a memo signed by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins on December 31, 2025, which added new conditions to federal grants, including requirements that awards not support climate change or DEI initiatives. Washington State Forester George Geissler stated the new terms conflict with state laws, preventing him from accepting the funds.
On March 23, 20 states and the District of Columbia sued the USDA to block the new funding terms, arguing they are coercive.
Voices from the Field
"I have to sign that we're accepting the money so that it can go out, and we can't sign it." — George Geissler, Washington State Forester
"This suppression-only policy is regressive." — Carson States, former Forest Service firefighter
"The suppression-only policy endangers firefighters. Many don't want to work for the federal government due to instability." — Liz Crandall, former Field Ranger
"The policy defies decades of fire ecology research and indigenous knowledge." — Dr. Timothy Ingalsbee, wildland fire ecologist
"Large prescribed fires are the best tool to prevent catastrophic wildfires." — Park Williams, UCLA
"These limitations put us in a worse position to deal with fires. Suppressing all fires creates more fuel for worse fires later." — Bill Avey, former Forest Service firefighter
Dave Upthegrove, Washington State Public Lands Commissioner, expressed concern that federal layoffs increase risk in responding to major wildfires and that the state is preparing contingency plans.