Trump job cuts could leave Oregon forests more vulnerable in 2025

After Oregon’s record wildfire season in 2024, local communities and government officials are concerned that ongoing personnel purges at federal land management agencies could leave the region shorthanded for pre-season fire mitigation projects and unprepared to combat deadly conflagrations when they break out later this year.

Ingalsbee said firefighters are already struggling with longer and more extreme fire seasons due to climate change, and that they would be called on to pick up the slack if other staff take a big hit.

“Crews are getting banged up, beat on and burned out,” he said. “It will just add more burden.”