All articles tagged with #forest service
Trump-era plans to overhaul the US Forest Service would move the headquarters to Salt Lake City, consolidate research in Colorado, and shutter regional offices in favor of state directors, prompting unions to call the change illegal and warning it could force staff to relocate or resign and endanger public lands management amid prior staffing cuts and reduced wildfire mitigation.
An opinion piece argues the Trump administration is dismantling the U.S. Forest Service to advance privatization of public lands: relocating HQ to Salt Lake City, expanding state-level coordination, boosting timber production and funding for sawmills, and scaling back research—actions the author says threaten long-term forest health for short-term timber gains.
An opinion piece argues the Trump administration is conducting a coordinated dismantling of the US Forest Service by relocating its headquarters to Utah, shuttering all regional offices, consolidating decades of research facilities, and replacing career staff with political appointees, effectively paving the way for transferring federal lands to the states and eroding scientific capacity; it urges Congress to immediately block relocation and funding until full oversight and debate are possible.
A former Idaho legislator filed a complaint against the U.S. Forest Service chief, accusing him of violating the Hatch Act by posting partisan messages blaming Democrats for the government shutdown, which the complainant argues undermines public trust and violates federal law.
A Democratic lawmaker is demanding transparency from the Agriculture Secretary regarding discrepancies in Forest Service firefighting staffing data, highlighting significant vacancies and misleading public claims of full staffing, amid ongoing concerns about firefighting capacity and staffing practices.
Michael Boren, a wealthy Idaho ranch owner and Trump donor, is nominated to lead the Forest Service despite past conflicts involving building an unauthorized airstrip on protected land and legal disputes with federal agencies, raising concerns about his suitability for the role amid ongoing land management controversies.
The Wayne National Forest in Ohio may be renamed Buckeye National Forest following requests from American Indian Tribes and the local community. The current name is seen as offensive due to General Anthony Wayne's "violent campaign" against the Indigenous community in Ohio. Other potential names under consideration are Ohio National Forest and Koteewa National Forest. The public has until September 5th to provide feedback on the proposed name change.
A report from the Forest Service has determined that the Cerro Pelado Fire was sparked by a prescribed burn conducted by the agency. The fire investigation revealed that the prescribed burn, intended to reduce hazardous fuels, escaped control due to unexpected weather conditions. The fire burned over 1,500 acres of land before it was contained. The Forest Service is now reviewing its procedures and protocols for prescribed burns to prevent similar incidents in the future.
A report from the Forest Service has revealed that the Cerro Pelado Fire, which burned thousands of acres in a state, was also sparked by a prescribed burn conducted by the agency. The fire, which was initially believed to have been caused by lightning, was found to have been ignited by the prescribed burn that got out of control. The report highlights the need for better monitoring and control measures during prescribed burns to prevent such incidents in the future.
Crews are battling the "May Fire" that started near Cheyenne Mountain in El Paso County, Colorado. The fire, likely caused by lightning, is currently uncontained, and no evacuations have been ordered. Ground crews are hiking to the remote scene while a DFPC helicopter dumps water on the fire. Structures south of the fire are not yet at risk.
The Rico Fire, a wildfire, has started burning about seven miles north of Silver City, and a mandatory evacuation was ordered for residents north of Bear Creek Cabins to the Forest Service boundary. Forest Service crews and other volunteer fire departments are on their way. The Pinos Altos Fire Rescue asked non-Pinos Altos residents to stay out of the area. The fire was named the "Rico Incident" by US Wildfire Info.
Fire crews from Bernalillo County, Albuquerque Fire Rescue, and the Forest Service are responding to a fire that started in the Sandia Mountains on Monday afternoon. The fire is located west of the 10k trial, north of State Highway 536, and east of the Ellis Trailhead. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and crews are working to get people off the trail.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for double the number of Forest Service personnel to be deployed to Canada to help fight the hundreds of wildfires that have caused a smoky haze over the eastern US. Canada is struggling to contain more than 400 active wildfires whose smoke has blanketed the Northeast, parts of the Midwest, and resulted in air quality warnings throughout the region. Schumer emphasized the role of climate change in Canada's recent wildfires, saying that both parties have "an obligation to do more" on the issue.
Authorities are searching for a suspect who shot illegal shotgun rounds, loaded with incendiary bullets, causing the Molino 2 Wildfire in the Coronado National Forest. The Forest Service released a video of the suspect, described as a white male around 50-60 years old, wearing a light grey shirt with tan cargo pants, and is asking for the public's help in identifying him. Using incendiary bullets and starting a wildfire are violations punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.
The Maine Forest Service has provided an update on the train derailment that occurred on July 11th in Washington County. The cleanup process is ongoing, and the environmental impact is being assessed. The Forest Service is working with other agencies to ensure the safety of the public and the environment.