The beauty of America’s forests comes with the risk of fire, which can damage our communities and key wildlife habitats. Federal scientists and foresters work to keep us all safer by controlling wildfires and improving our understanding of how they start and spread.
Public servants working for you
Alexander Maranghides, National Institute of Standards and Technology
Conducted important research into fires that spread from wildlands to adjacent communities and vice versa, providing insight into how to stop the spread of wildfires, protect fire-prone communities and create fire mitigation strategies.
The U.S. Forest Service’s work to reduce wildfires was down 40% in comparison to previous years, with only 1.7 million acres treated compared to an average of 3.6 million acres during the past year.
The Washington PostThe U.S. Forest Service is undergoing major reorganization, leaving vulnerable communities at greater risk and potentially abandoning key climate and tree disease projects as they close 57 of 77 research stations across the country during the headquarters move from Washington, D.C. to Utah.
Public Employees for Environmental ResponsibilityThe workforce at the U.S. Forest Service decreased by one-third between September 2024 and February 2026, leaving teams less prepared for fire season and monitoring activity in public forests.