{"id":24001,"date":"2026-02-18T11:35:51","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T16:35:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merkley.senate.gov\/?p=24001"},"modified":"2026-02-18T13:27:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T18:27:47","slug":"ranking-members-heinrich-klobuchar-merkley-huffman-pingree-and-colleagues-call-on-secretary-burgum-to-halt-creation-of-unified-wildfire-agency-citing-dramatic-cuts-at-the-interior-and-concerns-w","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.merkley.senate.gov\/es\/ranking-members-heinrich-klobuchar-merkley-huffman-pingree-and-colleagues-call-on-secretary-burgum-to-halt-creation-of-unified-wildfire-agency-citing-dramatic-cuts-at-the-interior-and-concerns-w\/","title":{"rendered":"Ranking Members Heinrich, Klobuchar, Merkley, Huffman, Pingree, and Colleagues Call on Secretary Burgum to Halt Creation of Unified Wildfire Agency, Citing Dramatic Cuts at the Interior and Concerns with Fire Mismanagement"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cMismanagement of fire management has life-or-death consequences and places billions of taxpayer dollars at risk.\u201d <\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Washington DC<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0U.S. Senators\u00a0Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee,\u00a0Amy Klobuchar\u00a0(D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the\u00a0U.S.\u00a0Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,\u00a0and Forestry,\u00a0Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the\u00a0U.S.\u00a0Senate\u00a0Appropriations\u00a0Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies,\u00a0and U.S. House\u00a0of Representatives\u00a0Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.),\u00a0and\u00a0Chellie\u00a0Pingree (D-Maine),\u00a0Ranking Member\u00a0of\u00a0U.S.\u00a0House\u00a0of Representatives\u00a0Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies,\u00a0led their colleagues\u00a0in sending a letter\u00a0calling on\u00a0U.S. Department of the Interior\u00a0(DOI)\u00a0Secretary Doug Burgum\u00a0to\u00a0halt efforts to create the\u00a0Department\u2019s new U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS),\u00a0citing\u00a0potential life-or-death consequences\u00a0that could come as a result of decoupling wildfire management from land management agencies,\u00a0and emphasizing a\u00a0number of concerns related to\u00a0recent reductions in staffing, combined with improperly severing wildfire management from land\u00a0stewardship.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Trump Administration has restructured firefighting efforts in the DOI without transparency and the necessary congressional approval and funds to create the new program.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

 \u201cWe are concerned that the DOI is advancing a rapid and consequential restructuring of wildfire management without adequate analysis, transparency, or planning to prevent disruption during what is expected to be a significant fire season or to safeguard long-term wildfire preparedness,\u201d the lawmakers b<\/strong>egan<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\n

The lawmakers continued<\/strong>, \u201cWhile consolidation could be an effective strategy to improve efficiency and coordination, the Administration\u2019s approach risks diverting critical resources and funding away from land management agencies without any public plan to replace those capabilities. Equally troubling, the Department has not provided Congress with any information detailing how decoupling wildfire management from land management agencies is expected to improve the health of public lands, enhance communication and coordination, or better protect lives and private property from catastrophic wildfire.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThe Bureau of Land Management (BLM) relies on an integrated workforce of land managers, scientists, fuels specialists, and field staff to plan and implement vegetation management, hazardous fuels reduction, grazing programs, habitat conservation, and post-fire recovery,\u201d the lawmakers underscored<\/strong>. \u201cFurther reductions in staffing, combined with improperly severing wildfire management from land stewardship, will undermine the agency\u2019s capacity to manage landscapes proactively. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The lawmakers concluded by urging the DOI to halt the creation of the USWFS and demanding answers to the lawmakers\u2019 questions.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alongside Ranking Members Heinrich, Klobuchar, Merkley, Huffman, and Pingree, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Mark Kelly (D- Ariz.), and U.S. Representative Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leer la carta completa aqu\u00ed<\/a> y por debajo.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dear Secretary Burgum: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We write to request information regarding the Department of the Interior\u2019s (DOI) consolidation of its wildfire programs into a new U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS). <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response to the President\u2019s direction, on January 12, 2026, you issued Secretary\u2019s Order (SO) 3488, Establishing the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. This SO directs the DOI to consolidate wildfire programs and establish the USWFS within the Office of the Secretary, transferring all DOI wildland fire operations from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Wildland Fire, and Office of Aviation Services into this new entity. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are concerned that the DOI is advancing a rapid and consequential restructuring of wildfire management without adequate analysis, transparency, or planning to prevent disruption during what is expected to be a significant fire season or to safeguard long-term wildfire preparedness. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This sweeping consolidation has been announced without providing an implementation plan that outlines how operational continuity will be ensured in the short term, or how restructuring will avoid long-term disruption to wildfire preparedness, response, and recovery. While consolidation could be an effective strategy to improve efficiency and coordination, the Administration\u2019s approach risks diverting critical resources and funding away from land management agencies without any public plan to replace those capabilities. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Equally troubling, the Department has not provided Congress with any information detailing how decoupling wildfire management from land management agencies is expected to improve the health of public lands, enhance communication and coordination, or better protect lives and private property from catastrophic wildfire. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These concerns are particularly acute at the Bureau of Land Management, which has already lost thousands of employees through DOGE\u2019s mismanagement. The removal of an additional 3,000 employees would leave the agency operating with nearly half the workforce it had on January 20, 2025, significantly impairing its ability to carry out its multiple-use mandate. The BLM relies on an integrated workforce of land managers, scientists, fuels specialists, and field staff to plan and implement vegetation management, hazardous fuels reduction, grazing programs, habitat conservation, and post-fire recovery. Further reductions in staffing, combined with improperly severing wildfire management from land stewardship, will undermine the agency\u2019s capacity to manage landscapes proactively. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are also concerned about how the National Park Service will continue to protect park resources and ecological integrity, the Bureau of Indian Affairs\u2019 will continue to uphold trust responsibility to safeguard tribal lands and cultural resources and how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will manage and protect National Wildlife Refuges to sustain fish and wildlife habitat, and biodiversity in fire-prone landscapes. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mismanagement of fire management has life-or-death consequences and places billions of taxpayer dollars at risk. Suppression alone cannot be the sole strategy for addressing wildfire, and swift structural changes that undermine planning, prevention, preparedness, and recovery will only worsen outcomes. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the recently enacted appropriations law and accompanying congressional direction, the Department is required to participate in a study examining the impacts of consolidating U.S. Forest Service and Department of the Interior wildfire programs. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We want to be clear: the appropriations act does not authorize the transfer of U.S. Forest Service firefighting functions to the Department of the Interior. Any such transfer would require explicit congressional authorization and approval, regardless of the study\u2019s findings. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In light of these questions and concerns, we request you delay any further implementation of the unification effort until Congress receives responses to the following questions. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Please provide a detailed list of the positions, functions, and duty stations proposed to be\u00a0consolidated\u00a0or \u201cunified\u201d under the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, including identification of positions currently housed within each DOI land management agency.\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. For positions proposed for consolidation, where will employees be\u00a0located, and will they remain at their current duty stations long-term? Please\u00a0identify\u00a0any\u00a0anticipated\u00a0relocations, reclassifications, or changes in reporting structure.\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      1. How does the Department plan to implement new USWFS branding, including uniforms, equipment, vehicles, and insignia? In responding to this question, please provide a cost estimate and\u00a0identify\u00a0the funding sources for these expenses.\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        1. What pay structure will apply to USWFS personnel? Specifically, will salaries and supplements follow the same structure used in prior DOI consolidation efforts where DOI receives the base salary, plus $10,000 and a 10 percent supplement from the home agency?\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          1. Many land management agencies rely on collateral-duty positions partially funded by fire accounts. How will the Department ensure that these positions, and the scientific, public engagement, and land stewardship functions they support, remain fully funded and operational within the land management agencies following consolidation?\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            1. How will the Department ensure continued coordination between the USWFS and land\u00a0management agencies on forest and rangeland management priorities, including hazardous fuels reduction, vegetation management, and long-term landscape resilience?\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              1. How will responsibilities for vegetation management, fuels\u00a0reduction, invasive\u00a0species and noxious weed treatment, and habitat\u00a0objectives\u00a0be coordinated to ensure alignment with agency missions and science-based land management?\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              2. How will the Department prevent the loss of in-house fuels specialists,\u00a0land\u00a0managers, and scientific staff from land\u00a0management agencies\u00a0as a result of\u00a0this consolidation?\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                1. Who will have decision-making authority over wildfire resource allocation,\u00a0fuels\u00a0treatment priorities, and prescribed fire planning under the new structure?\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  1. Will land management agencies\u00a0retain\u00a0authority over fuels management and vegetation\u00a0treatment decisions on land under their\u00a0jurisdiction, consistent with their statutory missions, scientific\u00a0expertise, and trust responsibilities? If so, how will they be funded and how will you ensure they have adequate staff to undertake this management?\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                      \n
                    1. How will the Department ensure clear lines of communication and operational\u00a0coordination between the USWFS and DOI land management agencies during wildfire preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience planning?\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                        \n
                      1. Has the Department\u00a0solicited\u00a0feedback from state, local, and Tribal governments\u00a0regarding\u00a0the proposed consolidation? If so, please summarize the feedback received and explain how it has informed the Department\u2019s approach.\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                          \n
                        1. What lines of communication and chain of command directives have you put in place to ensure seamless communications with all local,\u00a0state\u00a0and federal partners?\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                            \n
                          1. What training or rollout are you offering to local,\u00a0state\u00a0and federal partners with this transition as fire season gets underway?\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                              \n
                            1. Wildfire seasons are getting longer and more dangerous with each passing year. How will the Department ensure that the readiness of DOI firefighters, who make up\u00a0roughly 30%\u00a0of the federal wildland firefighting workforce, will not be further undermined by the consolidation?\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                              <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              We look forward to your\u00a0timely\u00a0response on this important matter.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              Atentamente,  <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              ### <\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                              \u201cMismanagement of fire management has life-or-death consequences and places billions of taxpayer dollars at risk.\u201d  Washington, D.C.\u00a0\u2013\u00a0U.S. Senators\u00a0Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee,\u00a0Amy Klobuchar\u00a0(D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the\u00a0U.S.\u00a0Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,\u00a0and Forestry,\u00a0Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the\u00a0U.S.\u00a0Senate\u00a0Appropriations\u00a0Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies,\u00a0and U.S. House\u00a0of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":18847,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[119,45],"class_list":["post-24001","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press-releases","tag-responding-to-and-recovering-from-wildfire-and-drought","tag-tackling-climate-change"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nRanking Members Heinrich, Klobuchar, Merkley, Huffman, Pingree, and Colleagues Call on Secretary Burgum to Halt Creation of Unified Wildfire Agency, Citing Dramatic Cuts at the Interior and Concerns with Fire Mismanagement - Merkley<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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