The U.S. Forest Service is firing 3,400 employees, affecting roles in wildfire prevention, timber production and land restoration, following the deadline for a Trump administration program that encouraged voluntary resignations.
Marcia Brown and Jordan Wolman report for POLITICO.
In short:
- The layoffs primarily affect employees still in their probationary period, making them easier to dismiss, while public safety positions, including wildland firefighters, remain intact.
- The cuts coincide with the end of the “Fork in the Road” program, which offered employees to opportunity to resign while staying on the payroll through September.
- Other federal agencies, including the Department of Energy and Small Business Administration, are planning similar workforce reductions.
Key quote:
“Protecting the people and communities we serve, as well as the infrastructure, businesses, and resources they depend on to grow and thrive, remains a top priority for the USDA and the Forest Service.”
— U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesperson
Why this matters:
The Forest Service plays a key role in managing national forests and responding to wildfires, which have become more severe due to climate change. Cutting 10% of its workforce could weaken efforts to maintain public lands, prevent wildfires and support ecosystems. Many of those laid off handle fieldwork, including forest restoration and timber management, making it harder to mitigate fire risks. With federal agencies facing broader staff reductions, the long-term impact on environmental conservation and disaster response remains uncertain.
Read more: Wildfire resources in the US are stretched thin despite federal claims of full staffing
