We’re at Preparedness Level (PL) 4 This Fire Season. But What Does that Mean?

Firefighter Shortage Across U.S. Poses ‘Dangerous’ Risks as Peak Wildfire Season Ramps Up

More than one-quarter of United States Forest Service (USFS) firefighting positions are vacant, creating shortages as extreme conditions lead to wildfires across the country, internal data reviewed by The Guardian has revealed. USFS Chief Tom Schultz has repeatedly reassured the public and lawmakers that the agency is prepared for the high amount of wildfire activity predicted this year. “The agency saying it is ‘fully staffed’ is dangerous,” a …

We’re at Preparedness Level (PL) 4 this fire season. But what does that mean?

As fires rage across the country, federal wildfire officials recently raised the national Preparedness Level to 4. If things get more intense, that could mean calling on the military and other countries for help.The National Preparedness Level – or PL – system is a 1 to 5 scale that indicates how busy a season is. When determining the PL, officials consider fuel and weather conditions, current fire activity and the availability of resources thro…

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

DOGE cuts and voluntary resignations have severely hampered the agency as the nation enters the peak of fire season, with more than 1 million acres burning across 10 Western states.