Trump Administration’s Funding Freezes Disrupt Wildfire Mitigation Efforts

Federal workforce reductions and halted funding for prescribed burns and fire prevention projects raise concerns about readiness for escalating wildfire threats.

• The Trump administration has frozen federal funding for wildfire mitigation programs tied to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, delaying critical prescribed burns and other preventative measures.
• Confusion over hiring freezes and executive orders has disrupted seasonal firefighter recruitment and training, leaving agencies understaffed as wildfire season approaches.
• Key prescribed burns, including a 151,434-acre project in Florida meant to protect communities and biodiversity, were canceled due to funding and staffing gaps, despite official statements citing weather as the cause.
• Nonprofits and state agencies reliant on federal grants for fire prevention work have halted operations, with layoffs and project delays reported in several states, including Oregon and Montana.
• Wildfire experts warn that the funding and staffing disruptions could exacerbate the growing severity of wildfires, which have already been intensified by climate change and years of underfunding.

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