As former U.S. Forest Service leaders, we spent much of our careers helping conserve Montana communities, forests, watersheds, wildlife habitat, and public lands. We know that successful wildfire management begins long before the first lightning strike or plume of smoke appears on the horizon. It requires experienced personnel, careful planning, healthy forests, and strong land management programs working together toward a common goal.
That is why we are concerned about the staffing reductions, funding cuts, and organizational upheaval currently affecting federal public lands agencies as Montana enters another potentially dangerous fire season.
According to the University of Montana’s recent Public Lands Survey, nearly two-thirds of respondents believe federal agency firings and funding cuts (DOGE cuts) are hurting our ability to manage wildfire risk and all land management programs. That concern is backed by what is happening on the ground.
Liz McFarland
For example, a new analysis by the Center for Western Priorities found the USFS treated approximately 35% fewer acres for hazardous fuels in 2025 than in 2024, with Montana among the states experiencing the steepest declines.
While troubling, that decline cannot be explained solely by funding. Fuels work depends on favorable weather conditions, available burn windows, environmental planning, and experienced personnel capable of safely implementing projects. When agencies lose staff and institutional knowledge, fewer projects move forward.
Wildland fire management is often viewed primarily through the lens of firefighting and suppression. But the truth is, it is inseparable from land stewardship. It includes prescribed burning, fuels reduction, forest restoration, watershed protection, wildlife management, recreation planning, and coordination across multiple resource programs.
Fuel treatments do not happen in a vacuum. They require foresters, wildlife biologists, hydrologists, engineers, planners, and fire professionals working together. Full integration of wildland fire management with broader land management programs is not optional. It is critical to addressing the root causes of the wildfire crisis.
 Tom Puchlerz
That is why we are deeply concerned by proposals to separate fire management from land management agencies through creation of a consolidated Department of the Interior Wildland Fire Service. Fire management is far more than suppression. Separating fire and fuels programs from the agencies responsible for managing forests and public lands risks undermining the active stewardship strategies that build long-term forest resilience and reduce catastrophic wildfire risk.
Montana needs a comprehensive approach that supports all aspects of public lands management while maintaining strong investments in fuels reduction and wildfire preparedness. Protecting communities requires healthy forests, experienced personnel, and fully functioning land management agencies. As wildfire seasons grow longer and more severe, strengthening — not dismantling — our land management agencies must remain a national priority. Join us in calling on our entire congressional delegation to stop the reckless dismantling of public land management that has served us so well for over a century.
Liz McFarland retired after a 33-year career with the U.S. Forest Service, during which she served in multiple frontline and leadership roles in Montana and Idaho. McFarland serves on the Board of Directors for the Montana Wildlife Federation.
Tom Puchlerz retired after 38 years with the U.S. Forest Service as a biologist and administrator with assignments in Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, Tom is a member of numerous local and national wildlife and fisheries conservation organizations. He is an avid hunter, angler, and advocate for wild places and wild things. Tom is a past president and Emeritus Council member for the Montana Wildlife Federation.
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