U.S. Forest Service Prepares for Busy Wildfire Season

The U.S. Forest Service is preparing for what officials expect could be a challenging wildfire season across the West.

According to the agency, early warning signs are already appearing. A weak winter snowpack in many high-elevation areas has left forests drying out faster than usual, creating conditions that could lead to more intense wildfire activity by midsummer.

Deputy Chief Sarah Fisher, who leads Fire and Aviation Management for the Forest Service, said predictive models are pointing toward a difficult summer. Even so, she emphasized that the agency has a strong workforce and a national response system designed to adapt quickly when fire conditions change.

A National Wildfire Response Network

The Forest Service says its wildfire response network includes more than 28,000 responders across the country. That includes Interagency Hotshot Crews, Type 2 Initial Attack crews, additional Type 2 crews, fire engines, heavy equipment and aviation resources.

The agency also manages more than 400 aircraft, including helicopters, water scoopers and large airtankers. These resources can be moved where they are needed most, helping support wildfire response for the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior and state partners.

Officials say this coordinated system allows crews, aircraft and equipment to respond across agency boundaries when wildfire conditions shift quickly.

Reducing Risk Before Fires Start

While the Forest Service remains focused on wildfire suppression, leaders say long-term protection depends on reducing fuels and strengthening forest resilience before fires begin.

Each year, the agency completes wildfire risk-reduction work across millions of acres. That work can include thinning overgrown forests, prescribed burning and other active land management efforts meant to reduce fire intensity and improve safety for firefighters and nearby communities.

Fisher said the agency cannot control the weather, but it can influence how fire behaves on the ground. That, she said, is where active management makes a major difference.

Prevention Remains Critical

Federal officials are also stressing the importance of public awareness and prevention, especially because many wildfires are caused by human activity.

The Forest Service says states, tribes, local governments, private landowners and the public all play important roles in reducing wildfire risk. Fire does not stop at property lines, which means preparation and prevention require a shared effort.

During Wildfire Awareness Month in May, the Forest Service is reminding communities that prevention is one of the first lines of defense. At the same time, the agency says firefighters are being trained, certified and prepared to respond when needed.

For more information from the U.S. Forest Service, visit Ready for Wildfire.