Huffman: Urgent Action Needed to Reverse U.S. Forest Service Layoffs
Press release from the Office of Congressman Huffman:
House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (CA-02), Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), and Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06) led 80 House Members in a letter [yesterday] urging the Trump administration to reverse their decision to fire 3,400 federal workers from the U.S. Forest Service, which manages 193 million acres of public lands. These layoffs are part of a broader effort by President Trump and Elon Musk to dismantle the federal workforce, undermining the ability to respond to urgent crises—from wildfires to climate change—while needlessly upending the livelihoods of tens of thousands of Americans across the country.
“We write to express our deep concern regarding the recent decision to lay off thousands of employees from the U.S. Forest Service and the potentially catastrophic consequences this will have on wildfire prevention efforts across the country. These cuts, compounded by the decision to freeze federal funding for a long list of critical programs and grants, could leave our public lands more vulnerable than ever to the threat of wildfires, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change,” wrote the Members to the Trump administration.
Last month, Southern California experienced its most devastating wildfires in history, with fires consuming 55,082 acres due to unprecedented Santa Ana winds and dry conditions. The Palisades and Eaton Fires alone destroyed over 37,000 acres, claiming at least 28 lives and damaging over 16,240 structures. Unfortunately, these fires are part of a broader trend of increasing wildfire severity. Last year, Oregon saw its worst wildfire season ever, with approximately 2 million acres burned, just four years after the 2020 Labor Day wildfires, which killed 9 people and scorched 1 million acres.
“These tragedies underscore the urgent need for ongoing community risk reduction and wildfire mitigation strategies that the U.S. Forest Service is tasked with carrying out. The recent layoffs at U.S. Forest Service, which reportedly amount to 10 percent of its entire workforce, directly jeopardize this critical work,” the Members continued. “For example, in the weeks before the recent Southern California wildfires began, the agency ordered and positioned multiple hand crews, engines, water tenders, dozers and patrols strategically throughout the Angeles National Forest in preparation for critical fire weather. These resources were essential to Initial Attack on fire starts and the overall response to major fires across the region.”
“The loss of skilled employees, many of whom possess specialized training in modern wildfire prevention techniques, will have lasting effects on the U.S. Forest Service’s ability to respond to the growing threat of wildfires,” the Members continued. “It is particularly concerning that many of those laid off were probationary employees who were actively involved in these critical projects. Their departure, along with the broader staff reductions, leaves the agency dangerously understaffed as we head into another wildfire season.”
The Members therefore requested responses to the following questions regarding how the Trump Administration plans to address these challenges moving forward:
- How many U.S. Forest Service employees have been terminated since January 20, 2025, including their job title, reason(s) for termination provided to the employee, their occupational categories as determined by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, and their station of duty; and the USFS region in which their duty station resided?
- What specific steps will your administration take to restore critical wildfire mitigation programs that have been disrupted by these cuts and the freeze on funding?
- How do you intend to support the Forest Service and other federal agencies tasked with managing our public lands, especially considering the growing challenges posed by climate change and the escalating risk of catastrophic wildfires?
- In light of the recent Southern California wildfires, which demonstrated the urgent need for proactive wildfire risk mitigation, how will your administration prioritize funding for community-based efforts in the coming year?
- How will the administration ensure that the billions of dollars allocated in IIJA and IRA for wildfire prevention and firefighter support are fully utilized to protect communities from the growing threat of wildfires?
“We urge you to reconsider these cuts and ensure that the Forest Service and other agencies are fully equipped to handle the growing wildfire crisis. Our nation’s public lands and surrounding communities deserve the attention, resources, and leadership required to safeguard them for future generations,” the Members concluded.
Other signers of the letter include Representatives Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), John Garamendi (CA-08), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jim Costa (CA-21), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Mark Takano (CA-39), Dave Min (CA-47), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), George Whitesides (CA-27), Luz M. Rivas (CA-29), Ed Case (HI-01), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Derek T. Tran (CA-45), Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Jason Crow (CO-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Ted W. Lieu (CA-36), Scott H. Peters (CA-50), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Dina Titus (NV-01), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Gwen S. Moore (WI-04), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Haley M. Stevens (MI-11), J. Louis Correa (CA-46), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Adam Smith (WA-09), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Rick Larsen (WA), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Mike Levin (CA-49), Sean Casten (IL-06), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Bill Foster (IL-11), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Johnny Olszewski, Jr. (MD-02), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), John B. Larson (CT-01), Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Janelle S. Bynum (OR-05), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03).
Click here to read the letter.
Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules
Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/
The land will manage itself. JarJar Huffs is just trying to Trump proof his job.
Trump will only last 4 years. Musk will own all this land soon.
California, is a sad place to live, and we can’t move because where we gonna go?
Public lands should just all be closed, until a sane Government is elected. Or use-fees should be much higher…
“Gold Card” Holders Only”…
Clean up your own damn forests!
Why. The forest service has failed miserably in its work. Their mission has been one of denying more and more public use and mismanagement of resources.
We almost never see a Forest Service employee when out in National Forest, they apparently prefer sitting in the office drinking coffee, and they’re not doing much useful when we do see them out there. Restart widespread logging, Forest Service ought to be able to net a profit of billions with all those resources to sell
America’s renewable resource
winning:Supreme Court STOPS Biden Judge’s Midnight Deadline, Halts Order Forcing Admin to Pay $2 Billion in Foreign Contracts.
winning:
AG Pam Bondi tells Jesse Watters, “Some Epstein Information” Will Be Released Tomorrow – Including Flight Logs!.
winning:
Pres. Trump Formally Instructs All Federal Agencies to Prepare for Large-Scale Bureaucracy Cuts by March 13
Huffbagger at it again. Hey Huffer, I worked seasonally for the Forest Service at one time. While about 75% of the permanent employees were great, dedicated folks, the other 25% did next to nothing. They also figured they could never be fired as civil servants. And that’s the problem. They forgot what civil service means. It means you work for your country with a job that pays less than the private sector in exchange for a great retirement package and the knowledge that you are helping the country. At least it used to be that way.
But now, government employees make more than the private folks plus they get a Golden parachute. And they still complain and bitch, and even form unions asking for more and more benefits from their countries taxpayers. They feel they are owed it. They are owed nothing as they are finding out regardless of Democrats whining like babies for political points. Whining for political points I say because they were demanding tens of thousands of public snd private employees be fired for taking a useless shot just 4 years ago. And those employees were fired. They cheered it on and loved seeing dedicated employees lifes destroyed. They had zero sympathy then. They have no ground to stand on given this fact. They should probably just stfu and concentrate on their Golden parachute job.
To the present, our country is in severe debt and on a road to bankruptcy for everyone. Well, guess what, the culls effed around and found out. Perhaps they should have showed up on time, actually worked instead of sleeping in their trucks in the forest, and got their projects done instead of talking all day and surfing the internet. My figures above track with what is being cut in terms of lazy useless employees. Now they can go get a real job at a gas station or a construction site where their daily production is easily monitored for waste and fraud and abuse. No excuses.
The forest service employees haven’t prevented any wildfires, that’s why they got fired. Pretty simple …
yeah, not much left to protect now.
In the 50s- 60s-70s there was logging of our national forest providing timber, jobs,economic growth for all of the tri-county area. No such thing as massive wildfires, loggers would stomp out fires quickly. The forest road infrastructure was awesome and wildlife was thick. Then came the enviro’s, no logging on National Forest, ripe trees just rot or burn,wildlife is nil and roads are unusable. All we see is the Forest Service send out botanist to flag star thistle. It’s very apparent they don’t carry chainsaws as you have to cut your way down most forest roads but they seem to have lots of time to make plans, studies,proposals,regulations and whatever red tape possible. It’s time to get people that get their hands dirty on the payroll and are held accountable.
THAT IS ABSOLUTELY F’N TRUE !!!!
—
Have lots of good maps to show what land has burned… and what’s up for the next burn !
Mendo National Forest = 90% Burned Brushland. Forests up here are close behind it.
—
Do have lots of cops though.
Dope cultivation has now gone elsewhere… I dunno what the cops are doing.
—
Go figure.
Very well said. The timber industry built the backroads through the forest, and now, because of all the environmental greenies, these roads are not maintained. This stupidity significantly hinders wildland firefighters from accessing fire outbreaks in the National Forest and BLM land. There needs to be a thinning, not just in the woods but with all the bureaucrats and chair-warmers in offices
Lefties cheered as it all burned down? Sad, because back to the landers were cool.
The Southern California Wildfires occurred because the Members were in charge in the first place. They tried throwing some DEI it instead of using firefighters.
Government workers always say they can make more in the private sector. Well now is you’re chance. Welcome to the real world.
Huffman is a big part of the problem. Spending money like there’s no tomorrow. Is he not telling us something? How about balance the budget? I know that’s hard and beyond politicians limited ability’s. No more “grants”. Maybe everyone should put their hands back in their pockets? No more federal teat.
The first mistake granola wackjob Enviromental warrior huffman made was to act like he knows anything! The second mistake was to include incompetent Jerry nadler
I looked up the stats- out of the 193million acres the USFS manages 25% of it (the remainder split among 3 other departments) they employ just over 35,000 workers. Jared is feelings over facts- he knows people are upset on this issue so he is using it to whip up feelings
In the private sector, businesses with the same failure rate as the forest service go out of business. It’s time for change at a minimum and if necessary a complete shutdown.
As it should.
This website forum continues to depress me and remind me that ppl here only like to circle jerk.
What a suggestion!
Huffman is an idiot, I can’t believe he gets all this free play on RHBB.
That’s “Future Governor Huffman” to you…
You’re right… this site seems to be the PR office of this loser.
So what do you have to say constructively? Your comment is much like Huffman- all dismay and zero content. Let’s hear you say something smart or challenging. Or are you too depressed, need your safe space? BooHoo ?
Wow that really bums me out. I comment here all the time, only to find out after the fact that I was not invited to the circle jerk.
I got a few bruises moshin’ to that band way back when. Punkrock dude.
I still have a couple of their albums on vinyl.
Yeah whatever!!
/sarc. >;-)~
Almost every day Huffman has URGENT scary stuff to say to spread fear and hate…I can’t believe a single thing he or other DEMs have to say anymore. I say this with regret because they may have some good points. But everything they say right now comes out of a place of fear propaganda. OH NO NOW LOOK WHAT EVIL ORANGE MAN DO!!!
I guess that is their pathetic winning strategy?! It lost them the election. And it won’t work now. Please focus and explain. Please help us cut that Defense budget? Oh- but those contractors pay off your party leaders also? We are screwed between both parties…..
Defense cuts are coming. And that department probably has the most waste and fraud. Easy to make it disappear. Area 51 anyone. Research. Private contractors. Industrial complex Goliath. They may be making or back engineering cool stuff but they shouldn’t be able to steal our money with no line item shown in the budget. If they just came clean, we all would be for scientific breakthroughs benefitting mankind. Instead, it just disappears into the ether to be used on whatever. Not to mention all the wars and propping up dozens of countries. Not to mention mobilizing all those humans and equipment all over the world. Not to mention messing around with lots and lots of hostile countries who we think we can change with the end result being they despise our existence even more. I believe we spent over a trillion in Afghanistan on a senseless long war. Didn’t learn from the Russia experience over there. And Russians are tougher than Americans. Dumbazz politicians. We need a Sensei of Efficiency to go line by line and cull the waste, fraud, and abuse. Efficiency. Japanese trained. It’s coming. Elon.
The Forest Service does no forest servicing until after fires start. Considering most of the forest techs on fires are seasonal (and technically not firefighters) I doubt the layoffs impact fire response at all. They were probably the bloated middle management.
sold off for parts
they are selling/destroying this country off for parts
to billionaires and their bizarre cryto fantasies
Bruh, you almost sound like huffpuff, being wound that tight really isn’t healthy. We’re in Humboldt, go smoke one or something and unwind.
Maybe they shouldn’t have let it all burn down?
We thin the trees in my neighborhood. One neighbor has an excavator but other than that it’s all chainsaw and sweat. From the government we received….ZERO Dollars. Sure wish we could buy a neighborhood chipper but that’s okay, lots of dragging, moving and burning. We all used to be DEMs btw but last year nearly the whole neighborhood voted Trump. We make jokes about the well-paid office workers who push paper and buttons and attend meetings while we actually work and sweat and still pay taxes. It’s not weird at all that rural people have had enough w the bullshit….
Too many desk jockeys driving new 4x4s .Most of them want the early retirement benefits.
Come on Huff, start representing your north coast voters. Most of what you do is lip service. The north district needs local representation that you don’t know how to do.