During a recent assignment with a U.S. Forest Service fire engine crew in Louisiana, working on restoring federal land and structures at Kisatchie National Forest that were damaged by hurricanes, Flaherty found his job suddenly cut short. As a probationary range ecologist, he was one of many probationary workers let go by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce overseen by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Flaherty, who had two more years left in his probationary period, expressed disappointment at being terminated despite his qualifications and dedication to his work.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the U.S. Forest Service, announced the termination of 2,000 probationary employees who were not involved in firefighting duties. Additionally, around 1,000 probationary employees from the National Park Service were also let go, including those who served as secondary firefighters. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins defended the decision, emphasizing the need to streamline government operations and prioritize efficiency.
While Rollins commended U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighters for their response to recent wildfires in Los Angeles County, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) raised concerns about the impact of these layoffs on firefighting capabilities. Steve Gutierrez, NFFE’s national business representative, highlighted that approximately 3,400 probationary non-fire personnel were affected by the cuts. Flaherty, who had been actively involved in wildfire fighting efforts, expressed worries about the potential consequences of reducing the agency’s firefighting workforce.
The move to downsize the U.S. Forest Service workforce has raised apprehensions about the agency’s ability to effectively respond to wildfires and protect communities. Despite the government’s commitment to enhancing efficiency, the decision to lay off probationary employees has sparked debate over its implications for emergency response and public safety.
In the 2025 Wildfire Season, Gutierrez, a former USFS firefighter, told ABC News that the budget cuts are affecting around 10% of the U.S. Forest Service’s workforce. Many of the employees who were let go held multiple roles, such as firefighting, like Flaherty, who responded to nationwide blazes. Gutierrez emphasized that even those classified as ‘non-fire personnel’ play vital roles in supporting firefighting efforts, serving as ecologists, mechanics, pilots, water systems operators, and more to aid in fire prevention, response, and recovery. He expressed concern over the termination of employees who had recently helped combat wildfires, highlighting the disrespect shown to those risking their lives for the public.
Gutierrez also raised alarms about a hiring freeze impacting crucial fuels management tasks, essential for clearing fire hazards on federal lands. He warned that delays in this process could lead to larger and more destructive fires, posing a national threat beyond California. Flaherty shared his experience of being abruptly terminated while on official travel in Louisiana, initially left stranded until his union intervened to secure his transportation back to Oregon.
Both Gutierrez and Flaherty criticized the decision-makers for not fully understanding the repercussions of their actions and stressed the urgent need to address the situation before it escalates into a larger crisis.
In Louisiana, Flaherty expressed his frustration with the government, stating that they lack an understanding of its complexities. Despite being back home, he still feels insulted by the situation. He emphasized how callous and poorly thought out he finds it all to be, expressing deep concerns for the stress and harm it is causing to people’s well-being. Eric Anderson, who landed his dream job as a biological science technician and lead fire effects monitor for the National Park Service in June 2024, shared his disappointment in being fired during what he called the “Valentine’s Day massacre.” He had worked diligently for years to reach this position, only to have it taken away due to political reasons. Anderson, a married father, received a dismissal letter citing his lack of fitness and qualifications, which he refutes by pointing to his excellent performance evaluations and essential role within his unit. As a former Peace Corps volunteer and private sector consultant, Anderson took a significant pay cut to work for the NPS and was shocked by the sudden termination. He described his duties collecting plant samples and preparing parklands for the fire season, emphasizing his role as a wildland firefighter within the unit.
Helping to reduce hazardous fuels through prescribed or controlled burns, along with rehabilitating burned land, was a crucial aspect of Anderson’s work. He emphasized the importance of restoring the environment after protective measures, such as bulldozing, had been implemented to safeguard towns. Anderson highlighted the need to prevent erosion following heavy rainfall events to maintain the integrity of the landscape.
Completing sampling initiatives in various parks around the Great Lakes by mid-August signaled the availability of Anderson and his team to engage in wildland fire operations or provide support as collateral firefighters. The recent layoffs had also affected many collateral firefighters, underscoring the impact of budget cuts on the firefighting workforce.
In September, Anderson actively participated in combating the Line Fire, which ravaged over 44,000 acres in and around the San Bernardino National Forest, posing a threat to the community of Highland, California. During August 2023, Anderson contributed to the containment efforts for the Happy Camp Complex Fire, which consumed more than 21,000 acres in the Klamath National Forest within Siskiyou County, Northern California.
Upon his return in January, Anderson engaged in conducting prescribed burns in the Florida Everglades. Expressing his passion for mission-driven work, Anderson reflected on his intrinsic motivation to contribute to meaningful causes. Despite the recent job termination, he remained dedicated to the field and expressed a strong desire to return to his former workplace. Anderson emphasized the value of the work performed by himself and his colleagues, stressing the need for their skills in addressing critical tasks.
The impact of the workforce reductions at the US Forest Service and National Park Service was highlighted by former employees, who emphasized the repercussions on the effectiveness of firefighting efforts. The challenges posed by budget cuts were evident on the fire lines, underscoring the importance of retaining experienced and qualified personnel for effective emergency response.
