U.S. Forest Service

During the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, evaluations for federal research grants ground to a halt and thousands of federal scientists at agencies were sent home without pay. Many are still catching up after the 43-day pause, and some fear the ripple effects could last much longer.

Data analyzed by the advocacy group Grassroots Wildland Firefighters shows that prescribed fires and other hazardous fuel reduction efforts have fallen by nearly 40% across the West this year.

The U.S. Senate version of the Fix our Forests Act (FOFA) is advancing with strong bipartisan support. If signed, it would bring big changes to the country’s approach to wildfires.

Lee’s bill amends the Wilderness Act of 1964 to make exceptions for the Department of Homeland Security to conduct immigration enforcement actions.

One22 financial assistance comes as shutdown barrels into second week.

The Great Outdoors Fund helps to fill funding gaps for public lands projects by leveraging private investment.

Over the summer, an executive order from President Trump called for the consolidation of federal wildfire programs "to the maximum degree practicable." The secretaries of Interior and Agriculture recently released their plans responding to that and other demands – and they've garnered praise and criticism.

In June, the Trump administration called for a consolidation of federal wildfire agencies “to achieve the most efficient and effective use of wildland fire offices.” Now federal leaders have released plans about how to carry out the order.

The federal government has issued new guidelines to wildland firefighters for the voluntary use of protective masks. The move comes as knowledge of long-term health risks faced by such workers – including cancer – grows.

The federal government currently spends significantly more on suppressing fires than preventing them.