Trump repeals rules governing off-roading on public lands
“I think this is going to be the year,” warned Timothy Ingalsbee, co-founder and executive director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology. “The conditions are just ripe for some really bad outcomes.”
“I think this is going to be the year,” warned Timothy Ingalsbee, co-founder and executive director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology. “The conditions are just ripe for some really bad outcomes.”
Why Wildfire Experts Are So Worried About This Year’s Fire Season
Burgum’s previous efforts to centralize power at Interior drew complaints about the organizational chaos that followed: Some 5,000 staff were moved from the department’s component agencies to his office in May 2025, and almost 1,800 quit, retired or were pushed out afterward. That’s sparked concern about how smooth his overhaul of the department’s firefighting efforts will be.
“The bottom line is it’s disorganization,” said Ingalsbee.
Burgum’s previous efforts to centralize power at Interior drew complaints about the organizational chaos that followed: Some 5,000 staff were moved from the department’s component agencies to his office in May 2025, and almost 1,800 quit, retired or were pushed out afterward. That’s sparked concern about how smooth his overhaul of the department’s firefighting efforts will be.
“The bottom line is it’s disorganization,” said Ingalsbee.
Firefighter health is a top priority in the new U.S. Wildland Fire Service. What could that mean?
The Mountain West News Bureau’s wildfire reporter Murphy Woodhouse recently spoke at length with Chief Brian Fennessy, the inaugural head of the Department of Interior’s U.S. Wildland Fire Service.
A major theme of their conversation was firefighter health and well-being. Cancer and other long-term health risks are growing concerns in wildland fire, but so too are the high mental health tolls the work takes.
The Mountain West News Bureau’s wildfire reporter Murphy Woodhouse recently spoke at length with Chief Brian Fennessy, the inaugural head of the Department of Interior’s U.S. Wildland Fire Service.
A major theme of their conversation was firefighter health and well-being. Cancer and other long-term health risks are growing concerns in wildland fire, but so too are the high mental health tolls the work takes.
Forest Service delays public rollout of its proposed repeal of Roadless Rule
The documents were expected to be released earlier this year, according to the agency.
In April, and in the absence of public meetings, Oregon-based groups hosted town halls in Portland, Bend and Eugene. Nearly 100 people gathered at Gratitude Brewing in Eugene to hear from local advocates and leaders, including Lane County Commissioner Laurie Trieger.
During that event, organizers with Oregon Wild, Cascadia Wildlands, and Firefighters United for Safety Ethics and Ecology outlined how people could prepare to comment again, anticipating another public comment period would open soon.
The documents were expected to be released earlier this year, according to the agency.
In April, and in the absence of public meetings, Oregon-based groups hosted town halls in Portland, Bend and Eugene. Nearly 100 people gathered at Gratitude Brewing in Eugene to hear from local advocates and leaders, including Lane County Commissioner Laurie Trieger.
During that event, organizers with Oregon Wild, Cascadia Wildlands, and Firefighters United for Safety Ethics and Ecology outlined how people could prepare to comment again, anticipating another public comment period would open soon.
New burn bans and Trump's battle with immigration and DEI are impacting forest fires
Firefighters also indicated that a full suppression strategy was not supported by science or indigenous knowledge of how to protect land. A 2025 study found that during the 2020 fire season in California, areas that had been burned before experienced wildfires that were about 16% less severe, on average.
"It's in defiance of all that we have learned, decades of fire ecology research, all that indigenous people have shared with us about how they stewarded the land with fire," said Dr. Timothy Ingalsbee, a wildland fire ecologist and former Forest Service firefighter. "And so it's just very alarming."
Firefighters also indicated that a full suppression strategy was not supported by science or indigenous knowledge of how to protect land. A 2025 study found that during the 2020 fire season in California, areas that had been burned before experienced wildfires that were about 16% less severe, on average.
"It's in defiance of all that we have learned, decades of fire ecology research, all that indigenous people have shared with us about how they stewarded the land with fire," said Dr. Timothy Ingalsbee, a wildland fire ecologist and former Forest Service firefighter. "And so it's just very alarming."
Is a Perfect (Fire) Storm Brewing for 2026?
“There is a lack of will at the very top, especially in this administration,” says Ingalsbee. “It’s part of an ideology to make prescribed burning impossible so it makes commercial logging inevitable.”
“There is a lack of will at the very top, especially in this administration,” says Ingalsbee. “It’s part of an ideology to make prescribed burning impossible so it makes commercial logging inevitable.”
Viewpoint: What actually works — and what doesn’t — when managing wildfires
The good news is that we know what to do. Thin the understory. Conduct prescribed burns. Update building codes and zoning. Create real defensible space around homes. These are not partisan positions — they are the accumulated findings of decades of peer-reviewed research and on-the-ground experience.
The bad news is that more and more intense wildfires are coming regardless of what we do about carbon emissions in the next decade. We cannot apply 20th-century solutions to 21st-century fire. The forests around us are changing, the climate is changing, and our policies need to change with them — guided by evidence rather than ideology.
The good news is that we know what to do. Thin the understory. Conduct prescribed burns. Update building codes and zoning. Create real defensible space around homes. These are not partisan positions — they are the accumulated findings of decades of peer-reviewed research and on-the-ground experience.
The bad news is that more and more intense wildfires are coming regardless of what we do about carbon emissions in the next decade. We cannot apply 20th-century solutions to 21st-century fire. The forests around us are changing, the climate is changing, and our policies need to change with them — guided by evidence rather than ideology.
‘Scientifically inaccurate’: Wildland firefighters speak out against Roadless Rule repeal
While the USDA argues that the rollback will reduce the risk of wildfires, FUSEE says that is scientifically inaccurate.
“It is the professional opinion of the wildland firefighters who signed the letter that rescinding this rule will have the opposite effect,” FUSEE said in a press release announcing the letter.
While the USDA argues that the rollback will reduce the risk of wildfires, FUSEE says that is scientifically inaccurate.
“It is the professional opinion of the wildland firefighters who signed the letter that rescinding this rule will have the opposite effect,” FUSEE said in a press release announcing the letter.
Why a major reorganization at the Forest Service has people concerned
“I worry that I sound paranoid like a conspiracy theorist — why would anybody want to break a federal agency?” said Rich Fairbanks, a former Forest Service firefighter and board member of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology. “But that’s exactly what they appear to be trying to do.”
“I worry that I sound paranoid like a conspiracy theorist — why would anybody want to break a federal agency?” said Rich Fairbanks, a former Forest Service firefighter and board member of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology. “But that’s exactly what they appear to be trying to do.”
Record heat, zero rain, millions of acres lost: Experts warn wildfires are now America’s problem to survive
“We’re seeing a rapid increase in wildfire activity,” Ingalsbee told Fortune. “Wildfire has typically been perceived as just a western problem, but with climate change, it’s not just coast-to-coast. It’s global.”
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“Conceptually, unifying and consolidating the different resources, personnel, and communication systems makes perfect sense,” Ingalsbee said. But the agency’s blanket fire suppression policy might backfire by exhausting firefighters, he added, while also leaving more unburned vegetation to build up and risk causing an even more severe or fast-spreading fire.
“By August, fire crews are burned out, beat up, and banged up from constant mobilization, and so you’re expending all their energy early in the season on fires that don’t really require full suppression,” Ingalsbee said. “It’s a waste of their effort.”
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“This could be a historic wildfire year,” Ingalsbee said. “I don’t think people can count on Uncle Sam’s firefighting army coming to their defense. They’re going to have to prepare for fires on their own.”
A combination of drought, dense vegetation in vulnerable states, and the effects of climate change has brought on an unseasonably ferocious wildfire season to parts of the U.S., said Timothy Ingalsbee, a wildland fire ecologist and executive director of the non-profit Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology. With the country’s firefighting services already strained, the devastation so far could be a prelude to an unusually intense summer as fires migrate west.
“We’re seeing a rapid increase in wildfire activity,” Ingalsbee told Fortune. “Wildfire has typically been perceived as just a western problem, but with climate change, it’s not just coast-to-coast. It’s global.”
…
“Conceptually, unifying and consolidating the different resources, personnel, and communication systems makes perfect sense,” Ingalsbee said. But the agency’s blanket fire suppression policy might backfire by exhausting firefighters, he added, while also leaving more unburned vegetation to build up and risk causing an even more severe or fast-spreading fire.
“By August, fire crews are burned out, beat up, and banged up from constant mobilization, and so you’re expending all their energy early in the season on fires that don’t really require full suppression,” Ingalsbee said. “It’s a waste of their effort.”
…
“This could be a historic wildfire year,” Ingalsbee said. “I don’t think people can count on Uncle Sam’s firefighting army coming to their defense. They’re going to have to prepare for fires on their own.”
As potentially significant season kicks off, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service’s first chief shares priorities
Even among critics, there’s respect for Fennessy’s experience, and hope that consolidation could bring positive changes. Timothy Ingalsbee, head of the wildfire advocacy group FUSEE, shares many of Stone-Manning and Calkin’s concerns, but called the new chief an “exceptional individual,” pointing to his significant leadership experience in both wildland and structure fire. Before taking the helm of the USWFS, Fennessy served as the chief of both San Diego and Orange County’s fire departments.
“He has a lot of trust amongst the crews,” Ingalsbee said. “The question is, ‘how much latitude does he have from the administration?’”
Even among critics, there’s respect for Fennessy’s experience, and hope that consolidation could bring positive changes. Timothy Ingalsbee, head of the wildfire advocacy group FUSEE, shares many of Stone-Manning and Calkin’s concerns, but called the new chief an “exceptional individual,” pointing to his significant leadership experience in both wildland and structure fire. Before taking the helm of the USWFS, Fennessy served as the chief of both San Diego and Orange County’s fire departments.
“He has a lot of trust amongst the crews,” Ingalsbee said. “The question is, ‘how much latitude does he have from the administration?’”
How Indigenous leaders are ‘carrying fire’ from Northwest history to the present
A soft rain fell around Joe Scott as he unwrapped the leather cord fastening halves of a mussel shell. Scott, an elder from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, packed each half of the shell with stringy willow wood — his insulation. He added chunks of smoldering fungus — his fuel. The small fire stayed lit, even when he closed the shell.
A soft rain fell around Joe Scott as he unwrapped the leather cord fastening halves of a mussel shell. Scott, an elder from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, packed each half of the shell with stringy willow wood — his insulation. He added chunks of smoldering fungus — his fuel. The small fire stayed lit, even when he closed the shell.
Trump’s new wildfire agency Is betting on a risky firefighting strategy
Full suppression fire management—which aims to extinguish all wildfires as quickly as possible—is highly controversial. As widespread drought conditions, historically low mountain snowpack, and record-warm temperatures set the stage for a longer season with a greater risk of large, fast-moving fires, some experts are raising concerns about the potential consequences of the new agency’s strategy.
Full suppression fire management—which aims to extinguish all wildfires as quickly as possible—is highly controversial. As widespread drought conditions, historically low mountain snowpack, and record-warm temperatures set the stage for a longer season with a greater risk of large, fast-moving fires, some experts are raising concerns about the potential consequences of the new agency’s strategy.
Wildland Firefighters Issue Open Letter Opposing Trump Administration’s Plan to End the ‘Roadless Rule’ in National Forests
“Rescinding the Roadless Rule will push more firefighters into high-exposure, low-value suppression assignments while pulling resources away from at-risk communities.”
This knowledge, gained by years of on-the-ground firefighting experience, aligns with scientific research.
“Rescinding the Roadless Rule will push more firefighters into high-exposure, low-value suppression assignments while pulling resources away from at-risk communities.”
This knowledge, gained by years of on-the-ground firefighting experience, aligns with scientific research.
The dangerous rush to consolidate America’s wildfire response
Producers Lauren Bogard and Lilly Bock-Brownstein are joined by Timothy Ingalsbee of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE). Timothy explains why the Trump administration’s rushed reorganization of federal firefighting is so risky, what it means for the firefighters already heading into a dangerous season short-staffed, and why he sees the whole effort as less like reform and more like sabotage.
(Interview starts at 6:10)
Producers Lauren Bogard and Lilly Bock-Brownstein are joined by Timothy Ingalsbee of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE). Timothy explains why the Trump administration’s rushed reorganization of federal firefighting is so risky, what it means for the firefighters already heading into a dangerous season short-staffed, and why he sees the whole effort as less like reform and more like sabotage.
(Interview starts at 6:10)
Trump wants to remake the way we fight wildfires. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Nearly a dozen Senate and House Democrats, including Sens. Martin Heinrich (New Mexico) and Jeff Merkley (Oregon), sent a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in February opposing the unified fire agency’s creating, citing concerns about understaffing at agencies such as BLM.
They also criticized the administration for launching the agency with little input from the public or Congress.
“We are concerned that the DOI is advancing a rapid and consequential restructuring of wildfire management without adequate analysis, transparency, or planning to prevent disruption during what is expected to be a significant fire season or to safeguard long-term wildfire preparedness,” they wrote.
Nearly a dozen Senate and House Democrats, including Sens. Martin Heinrich (New Mexico) and Jeff Merkley (Oregon), sent a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in February opposing the unified fire agency’s creating, citing concerns about understaffing at agencies such as BLM.
They also criticized the administration for launching the agency with little input from the public or Congress.
“We are concerned that the DOI is advancing a rapid and consequential restructuring of wildfire management without adequate analysis, transparency, or planning to prevent disruption during what is expected to be a significant fire season or to safeguard long-term wildfire preparedness,” they wrote.
This year’s US wildfires have already set records that could foreshadow a smoky, fiery summer
Recently released data show how drought, paltry Western snows and unseasonable heat, all exacerbated by climate change, could be priming the nation for a long wildfire season.
More fires in what has historically been a wetter part of the year “is becoming less a trend, more a pattern and normality,” said Timothy Ingalsbee, co-founder and executive director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology. “It is a clear signal of ongoing climate change.”
Recently released data show how drought, paltry Western snows and unseasonable heat, all exacerbated by climate change, could be priming the nation for a long wildfire season.
More fires in what has historically been a wetter part of the year “is becoming less a trend, more a pattern and normality,” said Timothy Ingalsbee, co-founder and executive director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology. “It is a clear signal of ongoing climate change.”
Wildfire forecast, Part 2: A fractured federal Wildland Fire Service. Feds say they’re ready for fire season, although big consolidation plans remain in limbo
Consolidating federal firefighting has been an active topic for many non-governmental organizations. Luke Mayfield, past president of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, told a recent Zoom gathering of the group’s membership that supporting a consolidated federal firefighting service remained a top priority. But he cautioned that all land-management responsibilities needed to be included: “It’s not just a suppression agency, but a holistic wildland fire management agency,” Mayfield said. “Otherwise, we’re just trying to squeeze more blood out of the same stone.”
Consolidating federal firefighting has been an active topic for many non-governmental organizations. Luke Mayfield, past president of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, told a recent Zoom gathering of the group’s membership that supporting a consolidated federal firefighting service remained a top priority. But he cautioned that all land-management responsibilities needed to be included: “It’s not just a suppression agency, but a holistic wildland fire management agency,” Mayfield said. “Otherwise, we’re just trying to squeeze more blood out of the same stone.”
USDA is asking contractors and others to weigh in before it launches a study on moving wildfire management to the Interior Department.
The Trump administration is inching forward on its proposal to take the Forest Service out of the fire suppression business.
The Trump administration is inching forward on its proposal to take the Forest Service out of the fire suppression business.
Questions mount as Interior’s wildfire agency takes shape
Over time, many land managers have come to embrace wildfire as an inevitable — and often beneficial — force that shapes forests, grasslands and wildlife. In some cases, fires should be allowed to burn, said Tim Ingalsbee, executive director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology, an advocacy group of current and former wildland firefighters.
“All suppression, all the time, is basically a failed — failing and failed — strategy,” he said. “We are losing the war on wildfire, and the whole paradigm needs to shift to working with fire instead of fighting against fire.”
Over time, many land managers have come to embrace wildfire as an inevitable — and often beneficial — force that shapes forests, grasslands and wildlife. In some cases, fires should be allowed to burn, said Tim Ingalsbee, executive director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology, an advocacy group of current and former wildland firefighters.
“All suppression, all the time, is basically a failed — failing and failed — strategy,” he said. “We are losing the war on wildfire, and the whole paradigm needs to shift to working with fire instead of fighting against fire.”