U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and four colleagues sent a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins expressing concerns about federal preparations and resource allocation for the 2026 wildfire season, as record wildfires devastate Western states. In Oregon alone, over 2.5 million acres have burned, causing significant damage and the loss of six lives, including firefighters.
The national firefighting force operated at its highest readiness level, with nearly all of its $6 billion fire suppression budget used by early September. The senators highlighted the severe environmental and economic impacts and warned that the federal capacity to manage ongoing operations is inadequate. Reports indicate staffing shortages have led to safety risks and overworked personnel, raising concerns as forecasts predict continued extreme conditions that could worsen the situation.
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