The US Forest Service (USFS) is facing a critical shortage of firefighters this summer, as thousands of fires have erupted across the country. Despite claims from officials that the firefighting workforce is stronger than ever, the agency has reportedly failed to keep pace with escalating conditions, according to nine anonymous firefighters who spoke to The Guardian.
Sources familiar with internal hiring data also indicate significant gaps in important leadership roles, leading to operational challenges during a busy year. Firefighters described a response system pushed to its limits, with crews under unsustainable pressure.
The USFS, which manages over 193 million acres, has struggled with recruitment and retention for years. The agency lost nearly half of its permanent employees between 2021 and 2024, leaving it to scramble to fill leadership positions during active fire seasons.
USFS Chief Tom Schultz stated in July testimony to a congressional subcommittee that the agency's firefighting workforce was at full capacity. However, firefighters who have seen internal staff totals suggest the actual number of deployable personnel is likely much smaller than what the USFS has reported.