NPR: Trump's Forest Service cuts have people in tinder dry New Mexico on edge https://www.kpbs.org/news/national/2025/04/17/trumps-forest-service-cuts-have-people-in-tinder-dry-new-mexico-on-edge

NPR: Trump's Forest Service cuts have people in tinder dry New Mexico on edge https://www.kpbs.org/news/national/2025/04/17/trumps-forest-service-cuts-have-people-in-tinder-dry-new-mexico-on-edge
Working on damage assessments for a heavily flooded area of our state. Then I remembered that the headwaters had burned over last summer, meaning increased runoff, faster snowmelt, etc. So I logged on to USDA's Burn Severity Portal... And all the past fire reports appear to have been deleted including recently completed ones from last summer's fires. Many links are dead.
I'll try contacting the forest offices to see if we can get a backup. This is a critical resource for the environment, our health, life, and safety.
I am at a loss, mad, and sad. These actions being taken are making our jobs and lives so hard and truly hurting everyone regardless of ideology.
"This action builds on Secretary Rollins’ announcement last month to unleash American energy by directing the USDA Forest Service to take action to remove burdensome Biden-era regulations that have stifled energy and mineral development on Forest Service land. As part of these decisive actions, the agency also canceled two mineral leasing withdrawals on Forest Service land that will help boost production of critical minerals." https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/04/04/secretary-rollins-announces-sweeping-reforms-protect-national-forests-and-boost-domestic-timber #USDA #USPol #USForestService #USFS
#Climate
Mono Lake and the Owens Valley today. Image credit Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District. For more information https://www.gbuapcd.org/District/AboutUs/ and #nps #nationalparks #usfs #nationalforests #interpretation #publiclands #photography #landscapephotography #newtopographics #geology #geography #clouds #california #airquality #mountains #snow #lakes #infrastructure #monolake
#NCwx #NorthCarolina #Wildfires #USFS #RattlesnakeBranchFire
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.. Firelines create an area of bare soil and act as a buffer to slow down or stop fire progress. Firefighters are engaging tools such as small bulldozers and leafblowers to remove fuel.
State Highway 276 remains open but please drive carefully- firefighters and equipment are working in the area.
The fire started on private land and is under investigation.
#NCwx #NorthCarolina #Wildfires #USFS #RattlesnakeBranchFire
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From USFS - NC on FB: 3/27/2025 -Afternoon Update on the Rattlesnake Branch Fire burning on the Pisgah National Forest. Fire size is estimated at 500 acres.
More than 80 firefighters from state and local fire departments and the US Forest Service are building fireline between homes and the active fire edge along Crawford Creek Road and Highway 276 near Rattlesnake Branch Rd…
#TheGremlinZoo #DOGE #FireFighters #USFS #NOAA
From CBS.com: Trump secures pay increase for wildland firefighters while DOGE fires critical support staff
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-wildfires-firefighters-doge-cuts-usfs-noaa-nps/
“‘Stonewalling’: Forest Service mum on firings during wildfire briefing for congressional staff • Source New Mexico” #USFS #Wildfire #GremlinZoo https://sourcenm.com/2025/03/14/stonewalling-forest-service-mum-on-firings-during-wildfire-briefing-for-congressional-staff/
SFGate: 'There is literally no one': The fallout coming to Lake Tahoe after forest service gutted
https://www.sfgate.com/renotahoe/article/fallout-forest-service-lake-tahoe-gutted-20209156.php
Emily and the Economy
Monica Tranel by Mar 5
Emily was fired from her Bob Marshall Wilderness Trail Crew job.
"As a result of the illegal terminations, there is no trail crew in the Flathead National Forest. Rivers won’t have human waste picked up. Trails won’t be cleared and opened. Outfitters, guides, hunting and fishing, floating, hiking, horse packing, will all be affected by the illegal firing of government employees."
#MTPol #USFS
Chainsaws are for Sawyers by Monica Tranel
Feb 24
#Montana #USFS #Wildfire
https://open.substack.com/pub/monicatranel/p/chainsaws-are-for-sawyers
“Guidance on OPM Saturday Email | National Federation of Federal Employees” #FederalWorkers #FederalGovernment #USFS https://nffe.org/nffe_news/guidance-on-opm-saturday-email/
Statement from Sandra Marra, President & CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy:
“The mass terminations of federal employees within the USDA Forest Service and the National Park Service are deeply concerning and will have devastating impacts to our beloved public lands, including the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Unprecedented in magnitude, these firings are being carried out without regard to the agencies’ ability to perform their essential duties as required by law to effectively manage our public lands and resources. .....
"Unlike other units of the Park Service, National Scenic and Historic Trails depend on volunteers and NGO partners to steward and maintain the integrity and connectivity of the Trails. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy works shoulder-to-shoulder with the USFS and NPS in the day-to-day operation of the Appalachian Trail and coordinates the on-the-ground efforts of the 30 Trail Clubs and thousands of volunteers. Despite the reliance on volunteers and NGOs, none of our work is possible without our federal partners.
"The 10% reduction of USFS staff and 5% reduction at the NPS will further hinder already understaffed teams and severely delay the agencies’ approval and supervision of critical Trail improvement projects — including treadway and shelter repairs in the areas impacted by Hurricane Helene and, along the entire treadway, bridge replacements, privy upgrades, invasive species removal, and natural resource restoration. In addition, these inefficient and scattershot terminations will negatively impact wildfire and emergency response in an era when wildfires are becoming increasingly larger and more destructive." ~~ 19 February 2025
https://appalachiantrail.org/news/federal-terminations-to-impact-appalachian-trail/
Kara Bond
Bitterroot National Forest fire certified archaeologist and Forest protection officer
#MTPol #Montana #USFS
https://open.substack.com/pub/monicatranel/p/karas-story
#TheGremlinZoo #USPol #USFS #NPS
From Los Angeles Times: Trump administration backtracks on eliminating thousands of national parks employees
@ai6yr Promoting to #TheGremlinZoo #USFS
NBC News: Hiring freeze of firefighters could be deadly, Forest Service captain warns https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/hiring-freeze-firefighters-deadly-forest-service-captain-warns-rcna192494 #wildfires #firefighting #USFS