Firefighting realignment ordered by Trump administration
President Donald Trump has signed an order to merge wildland firefighting responsibilities under a new Federal Wildland Fire Service, according to AP News.
The order would centralise firefighting duties currently distributed across five federal agencies and two Cabinet departments.
The new service would be housed within the US Department of the Interior, with roles and staff transferred from the US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service.
AP News reported that the reorganisation comes despite warnings from former federal officials and firefighter groups who say it could disrupt fire season operations and increase risks.
No cost or savings estimates have been provided, and the plan takes effect while the 2025 fire season is already active across parts of the United States.
Federal agencies impacted by planned restructuring
According to AP News, Trump’s proposal would shift the majority of personnel from the Forest Service to the new Interior-based firefighting service.
The Forest Service currently employs most federal wildland firefighters in the United States.
Critics, including several former Forest Service chiefs, said the transition could delay response efforts and undermine fire prevention work.
In a letter to lawmakers, they wrote that consolidating firefighting under one agency could “actually increase the likelihood of more large catastrophic fires, putting more communities, firefighters and resources at risk.”
The AP reported that more than 65,000 wildfires burned nearly 9 million acres of land in the US last year.
The Trump administration has previously reduced federal support for wildfire prevention and staffing, and this new change revives similar concerns about resource gaps.
Concerns raised over fire prevention and climate impacts
The presidential order did not mention climate change, despite scientists linking increased wildfire activity to higher temperatures and prolonged drought conditions.
The Center for Western Priorities, an advocacy group critical of the order, described the move as “madness.”
Aaron Weiss, deputy director of the group, said: “If President Trump was serious about improving the nation’s wildland firefighting capabilities, he would stop hollowing out the agencies tasked with fighting wildfires.”
Experts cited by AP News noted that centralisation may prioritise suppression over prevention, which could worsen conditions in areas with dense vegetation or declining forest health.
Environmentalists also pointed to other recent actions by the administration, including changes to logging regulations across US forests, as contributing to increased risk.
Political support and commercial ties
AP News reported that bipartisan legislation proposing a similar restructuring is currently under consideration.
The bill is backed by California Senator Alex Padilla and Montana Senator Tim Sheehy.
Sheehy, who previously founded an aerial firefighting company that contracts with federal agencies, also sponsored a separate bill signed by Trump that allows the continued sale of military aircraft for wildfire use.
Sheehy said in a statement: “Fighting wildfires more quickly and aggressively is America First common sense.”
Although the consolidation plan has received some legislative backing, several organisations representing firefighters have warned it could lead to higher operational costs and inefficient responses.
Emergency declaration affects wide geographical area
In addition to the order, Trump approved an emergency designation covering 176,000 square miles of forested land.
AP News stated that the affected area spans parts of the western United States, the South, Great Lakes region and New England.
Many of these forests are classified as high-risk due to insect damage, tree disease and prolonged periods without precipitation.
Critics argued that reducing environmental oversight in these areas could worsen conditions.
The US continues to experience above-average temperatures for the season, which federal agencies say may drive another intense year of wildfire activity.
Federal wildland firefighting reorganisation raises safety concerns: Summary
President Donald Trump signed an order consolidating federal wildland firefighting duties.
The new Federal Wildland Fire Service would be created under the Department of the Interior.
Personnel would transfer from the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service.
The change affects responsibilities spread across five agencies and two Cabinet departments.
AP News reported that no cost or savings estimate has been released.
Fire season is already underway across parts of the United States.
Critics, including former Forest Service chiefs, said the move could increase the risk of large fires.
A letter to lawmakers said consolidation could put communities and resources at greater risk.
The plan was not accompanied by any mention of climate change.
Environmental groups said it would prioritise suppression over prevention.
A similar proposal is backed by Senators Alex Padilla and Tim Sheehy.
Sheehy founded an aerial firefighting company that holds federal contracts.
Trump also signed a law enabling military aircraft sales for firefighting.
An emergency designation now applies to 176,000 square miles of forest land.
Many affected forests are located in western states and face high wildfire risk.
The designation includes areas in the South, Great Lakes and New England.