US EditionFeeling the burn: An exodus of staff — for years — has made it hard for the N.C. Forest Service to fight wildfires
- The N.C. Forest Service faces a staffing crisis due to budget cuts and layoffs, leading to a weakened ability to combat wildfires, according to Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.
- Around 2,000 employees were terminated, further straining the agency's capacity to manage wildfires, as reported by an agency spokesperson.
- An independent federal board ordered the reinstatement of over 5,700 terminated probationary employees for 45 days, highlighting ongoing staffing challenges.
- Wildfires have burned nearly 8,000 acres in Western North Carolina, with the agency deploying personnel but taking over a week to extinguish the flames.
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4 Articles
Trump said cuts wouldn’t affect public safety. Then he fired hundreds who help fight wildfires. - Ashland News - Community-Supported, NonProfit News
Ongoing cuts, funding freezes and hiring pauses have weakened the nation’s already strained firefighting force by hitting support staff By Mark Olalde, ProPublica President Donald Trump’s executive orders shrinking the federal workforce make a notable exception for public safety staff, including those who fight wildland fires. But ongoing cuts, funding freezes and hiring pauses have weakened the nation’s already strained firefighting force by hi…
Carolina Public Press
Carolina Coast OnlineFeeling the burn: An exodus of staff — for years — has made it hard for the N.C. Forest Service to fight wildfires
As wildfires become more common and catastrophic, the shortage of trained personnel across the state makes communities vulnerable. Feeling the burn: An exodus of staff — for years — has made it hard for the N.C. Forest Service to fight wildfires is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s 10.4 …
White House draft order and staffing cuts raise wildland firefighter safety concerns
Draft order would reduce aircraft certification requirements The Spokesman and ProPublica have reported that a draft White House executive order could reduce safety requirements for aerial firefighting aircraft while federal staffing cuts are already affecting the country’s firefighting capability. The proposed order would remove specialised firefighting certification requirements for aircraft and instead require only standard […]
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