Forest Service completed prescribed burns on 127,000 acres during shutdown, despite reduced workforce

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The U.S. Forest Service completed prescribed burns on more than 127,000 acres during the shutdown, largely keeping pace with previous years despite a reduced workforce.

The agency is playing catch-up this year, after an intense fire season last year pulled resources away from wildfire prevention work. DOGE efforts to reduce the service’s workforce didn’t help.

Many of the personnel responsible for fighting fires — who were not furloughed during the shutdown — are the same people who administer prescribed burns.

During the government shutdown, the U.S. Forest Service completed prescribed burns on more than 127,000 acres, Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz announced in an internal mem