Firefighters face shortages

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As US wildfires rage, firefighters clean toilets after Trump staff cuts, critics say

Firefighters boots and helmets in the library at the United States Forest Service's Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory, Montana, January 29, 2025. REUTERS/Matt Mills McKnight

As the US grapples with decade-high wildfire numbers this year, more than a dozen active and retired US Forest Service employees told Reuters that the agency is struggling to fill critical roles. The agency rejected the criticism from current and former employees.

This comes after approximately 5,000 employees - roughly 15% of its workforce - quit in the past five months.

A crew leader on an Oregon blaze said her team went hungry for several days, ran short of medical supplies and had to scrounge for chainsaw fuel after support staff quit the agency during two rounds of "fork in the road" buyouts.

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