The Forest Service Claims It’s Fully Staffed for a Worsening Fire Season. Data Shows Thousands of Unfilled Jobs

The Forest Service claims it’s fully staffed for a worsening fire season. Data shows thousands of unfilled jobs

Despite public claims of near-full staffing, internal Forest Service data shows over 4,500 firefighting jobs remain vacant amid worsening season.

Wildfire response falters as thousands of U.S. Forest Service firefighting jobs remain vacant

Internal records show more than a quarter of U.S. Forest Service firefighting positions are unfilled as wildfires surge nationwide, contradicting agency assurances to lawmakers that staffing is at full strength.Gabrielle Canon reports for The Guardian.In short:Vacancies have left more than 5,100 firefighting roles open, with some regions facing shortages of nearly 40%.Leadership and middle-management gaps are forcing inexperienced crews into hig…

Forest Service claims it is staffed for worsening fire season. Data shows thousands of unfilled jobs

DOGE cuts, voluntary resignations have severely hampered the agency as the nation enters peak of fire season.