Policy & Funding

Proposed Trump administration budget cuts to U.S. Forest Service wildfire research programs are drawing criticism from Pacific Northwest scientists and fire experts as active fires burn across the region and forecasters project an above-normal fire season.

Proposed reductions to Forest Service research programs are drawing sharp criticism from fire scientists who say the cuts could undermine tools and forecasting capabilities that protect communities.

President Trump's proposed budget would zero out Forest Service research funding, drawing bipartisan pushback in Congress. Meanwhile, the House rejected a proposed consolidation of federal wildfire agencies in the FY2027 spending bill.

Governor Tina Kotek signed Executive Order 26-10 on June 15, declaring a wildfire state of emergency as ODF officially opened the 2026 fire season early due to drought, low snowpack, and dangerous fire weather conditions.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed Executive Order 26-10 on June 15, declaring a state of emergency due to imminent wildfire threat. The order came as Oregon officially entered fire season, with record-low snowpack, drought in nearly half the state's counties, and 414 fires already burning 8,000+ acres in 2026.

Governor Tina Kotek signed Executive Order 26-10 on June 15, declaring a state of emergency due to the imminent threat of wildfire across Oregon. The order came as the state officially entered fire season and multiple fires ignited nearby in Washington.

Governor Tina Kotek signed Executive Order 26-10 on June 15 declaring a state of emergency over wildfire threat, as Oregon officially entered fire season the same day. The order grants state agencies access to all needed resources through year-end.

The Trump administration's proposed U.S. Forest Service cuts and reorganization threaten to close the Seattle wildfire smoke lab and gut decades of research infrastructure just as the Pacific Northwest faces a potentially severe 2026 fire season.

A 301-page House Appropriations report championed by Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson proposes $1.16 billion for the newly created U.S. Wildland Fire Service, prioritizes wildland firefighter pay, and advances consolidation of federal firefighting operations.

The Trump administration's proposed budget would eliminate all USFS research and development funding, threatening the closure of the Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Lab in Seattle. Congress is pushing back, but uncertainty hangs over critical fire science programs as the 2026 season intensifies.

With 26,000+ federal land management positions lost and wildfire mitigation acreage down 35%, fire experts warn that the agencies responsible for fighting and preventing wildfires are dangerously understaffed heading into a volatile 2026 season.

The USFS Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Lab in Seattle, which provides real-time smoke and fire tracking tools used nationwide, is among 56 of 90 research stations identified for potential closure in the Trump administration's Forest Service reorganization.

NIFC's June-September Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook shows above-normal risk across the entire Northwest, with below-normal snowpack, drought, and above-normal heat driving the forecast.

Senator Cantwell confronted Forest Service Chief Schultz over the Trump administration withholding 9 million in wildfire funds from Washington State after USDA changed grant terms to require compliance with DEI and immigration executive orders.

A freeze on Community Wildfire Defense Grants tied to new federal conditions is blocking prescribed burn funding for Oregon and Washington land managers. Meanwhile, a proposed 19% federal wildfire budget cut and agency consolidation plan have been rejected by Congress.

The Forest Service has lost over 6,000 workers through budget cuts and attrition, while prescribed burning fell 35% last year. As the 2026 fire season tracks toward historic levels, lawmakers and experts are raising urgent concerns about federal fire preparedness capacity.

Congress rejected the Trump administration's proposal to merge USFS and Interior wildfire operations into a single U.S. Wildland Fire Service for FY2026, while the FY2027 budget request renews the call for consolidation — leaving the new agency in a funding limbo as fire season begins.

Oregon Senators Wyden and Merkley emerged from a NWCC briefing with 'deep concerns' about USFS staffing cuts, warning the federal government may not be ready for what's expected to be a severe 2026 fire season.

The Trump administration's move toward a full-suppression wildfire strategy — combined with proposed Forest Service staff cuts and a near-elimination of prescribed fire — is drawing sharp criticism from Oregon's congressional delegation and fire management experts heading into a dangerous season.

Legislation from Rep. Cliff Bentz would authorize emergency access improvements, new evacuation routes, and fire safe zones in Juniper Canyon in Crook County, Oregon.