Policy & Funding

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.

Washington State cannot access $49 million in federal wildfire funds due to a Trump administration policy change on grant terms, leaving a preparedness gap ahead of what forecasters expect to be an active fire season.

DOGE-driven staffing losses, frozen Community Wildfire Defense Grants, and a proposed agency reorganization are raising alarms about the Forest Service's capacity to respond as the 2026 fire season ramps up.

Interior Secretary Burgum's newly established U.S. Wildland Fire Service is rolling out in phases as the 2026 fire season ignites. Congress approved $4.25 billion in suppression funding, but staffing gaps from federal workforce reductions remain a concern.

Senator Maria Cantwell publicly confronted the U.S. Forest Service chief over $49 million in withheld wildfire funding for Washington state, as the Trump administration's new DEI and immigration conditions on federal grants block critical preparedness dollars ahead of peak fire season.

Sen. Maria Cantwell confronted USFS Chief Tom Schultz over Trump administration funding changes that have frozen $49 million in wildfire preparedness dollars Washington state needs ahead of an elevated-risk fire season.

A Trump administration policy change has frozen roughly $200 million in Community Wildfire Defense Grants, preventing land managers in Oregon, Washington, and across the country from completing planned prescribed burns during a critical spring window.

Washington state is waiting on $49 million in withheld federal fire funding as peak wildfire season approaches, with Sen. Cantwell confronting the USFS chief at a Senate hearing over the administration's new grant conditions.

Over $41 million in federal wildfire risk-reduction grants for Washington state is on hold as the state and the Trump administration disagree on grant contract terms involving immigration enforcement and hiring requirements. The dispute affects communities including the Methow Valley, where wildfires have burned nearly 60% of the watershed.

Major budget cuts, thousands of staff reductions, a new all-suppression fire policy, and organizational upheaval at the U.S. Forest Service are raising concerns about federal wildfire readiness heading into a projected active 2026 season.

Oregon lawmakers created a dedicated Large Wildfire Fund via HB 3940, allocated $150 million for a new natural disaster fund, and distributed 75 fire engines to rural departments — building fiscal resilience ahead of a potentially severe 2026 season.

Washington State cannot access $49 million in federal wildfire funding due to new USDA grant restrictions, Sen. Cantwell warned at a Senate hearing — a dispute unfolding as the Pacific Northwest faces an above-normal 2026 fire season.