Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, issued a call on Friday for several United States agencies to make an exception for seasonal wildland firefighters amidst the current federal hiring freeze. This call comes as concerns grow regarding the readiness of the federal government to combat future wildfires. Schiff’s plea was prompted by a report from NBC News revealing that President Donald Trump’s executive order on January 20, implementing a freeze on federal hiring, has resulted in the halting of recruitment for thousands of firefighters. This could potentially lead to a shortage of personnel as the next fire season approaches.
In his letter addressed to the United States Department of Agriculture, which oversees the U.S. Forest Service, a vital firefighting agency, as well as the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), responsible for federal budget administration, Schiff urged the immediate exemption of federal firefighters from the hiring freeze. He also called for an end to actions that encourage firefighters to resign and requested information on how these measures have impacted the recruitment and retention of seasonal firefighters within the U.S. Forestry Service.
Recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area, which began last month, claimed the lives of at least 29 individuals, destroyed close to 17,000 structures, and forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. U.S. Forest Service firefighters played a crucial role in combating some of the most destructive fires in the Los Angeles region, with federal crews being credited for saving an entire neighborhood.
As of Friday afternoon, according to reports from NBC News, wildland firefighters have not been granted an exemption from the federal hiring freeze. Federal agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management under the DOI and the Forest Service, typically recruit over 15,000 seasonal firefighters annually.
In a memorandum dated January 21, Gary Washington, the acting secretary of the Department of Agriculture, stated that there were no exemptions within his agency, which includes the forest service. Schiff expressed alarm in his letter that federal firefighters had not been included in this exemption, emphasizing the essential role seasonal firefighters play in ensuring the safety of residents in fire-prone areas.
Requests for comments from the OMB and USDA regarding Schiff’s letter went unanswered on Saturday. Similarly, the Office of Personnel Management, responsible for granting exemptions in accordance with Trump’s executive order, did not respond to queries on whether seasonal firefighters would be considered exempt.
Elizabeth Peace, a spokeswoman for the Department of the Interior, stated, “The Department of the Interior is implementing President Donald J. Trump’s Hiring Freeze Executive Order across the federal civilian workforce. The order allows for exemptions for certain positions, including those related to public safety.” She further added, “The Department is working to hire key positions that will continue to protect public and tribal lands, infrastructure, and communities from the impacts of wildfires through hazardous fuels management, wildfire preparedness, and close collaboration with interagency partners.”
