Washington, June 3: The Chief of the U.S. Forest Service has issued a warning about an increased risk of wildfires across large parts of the United States this year. However, he noted that the agency is better prepared for the fire season than in previous years.
During a Senate Agriculture Committee meeting, Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz stated that the agency has boosted the number of firefighting personnel, intensified efforts to reduce hazardous fuels like dry grass and shrubs, and strengthened coordination with other government agencies. Communities nationwide are bracing for another challenging summer season.
Schultz remarked, “As we enter the 2026 fire season, the likelihood of wildfires in many parts of the country is higher than normal.”
He explained that wildfires are no longer just a local issue; they impact global commodity markets, energy infrastructure, timber supply, air quality, and climate change policies.
According to Schultz, the Forest Service has hired over 11,000 firefighting personnel, which is a 6 percent increase from last year. This number is expected to rise to 11,300 by July.
He added, “We have also provided specialized training to over 450 non-firefighting staff to assist in firefighting efforts when necessary.”
The U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands and plays a crucial role in preventing and extinguishing wildfires.
Schultz highlighted the agency’s strategy of rapid response to wildfires to prevent small fires from escalating into major disasters.
He noted, “In fiscal year 2025, there were nearly the highest number of wildfires in national forests in a decade, yet the area burned was only about half of the 10-year average.”
He also mentioned that the agency’s success rate in gaining early control over fires has been the best in the past 12 years.
In addition to firefighting, the Forest Service is focusing on better forest management. Last year, the agency reduced hazardous vegetation and other flammable materials across more than 3.3 million acres. So far this fiscal year, approximately 2.2 million acres have been completed.
The agency has also exceeded its timber production targets, selling nearly 2.95 billion board feet of timber in 2025.
Schultz stated, “Our goal is to increase the amount of timber available from national forests by 25 percent to reach 4 billion board feet by 2028.”
However, several lawmakers have expressed concerns about the agency’s proposed reorganization. The Forest Service is considering relocating its headquarters to Salt Lake City and implementing a state-based leadership model instead of the current regional system.
Representatives from Minnesota, Michigan, Vermont, and California have voiced worries that this could lead to the closure of research centers focused on wildfires, forest health, and invasive species.
Schultz repeatedly assured that no final decisions have been made and there are no plans to close research programs.
He explained, “Our aim is not to reduce programs but to review the centers.”
Schultz noted that the U.S. and Canada have collaborated on wildfire management for the past 40 years. During severe fire seasons, firefighting teams and equipment from both countries assist each other across borders.
Last year, during record wildfires in Canada, nearly 600 U.S. firefighters and management officials were sent to provide assistance.
Wildfires in North America are increasingly becoming a matter of international concern. In recent years, smoke from severe fires in Canada has affected large parts of the U.S., resulting in poor air quality for millions and impacting travel, business, and public health services.
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