2021 California Monument Fire - Engine crew battles flames
Credit: USFS
March 19, 2022 - The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) reports the Biden Administration’s 10-year wildfire mitigation plan, while applauded by many agriculture and environmental advocates, has raised concerns about the lack of USDA Forest Service staffing needed to carry it out.
Forest Service officials are reportedly warning employees in California that there have been 50 percent fewer applications submitted for the necessary firefighting positions this year compared to last.
Regional Forest Service officials from across the Western fire regions face “a particularly bleak hiring picture.”
Additionally, housing for wildland firefighters has resurfaced as a major issue going into the summer.
While Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has previously mentioned working with Airbnb to provide housing, USDA said there’s no formal partnership, and only four employees used housing offers from Airbnb hosts during the summer of 2021.
ABOUT RURAL COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA (RCRC)
The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) is a thirty-seven member county strong service organization that champions policies on behalf of California’s rural counties. RCRC is dedicated to representing the collective unique interests of its membership, providing legislative and regulatory representation at the State and Federal levels, and providing responsible services for its members to enhance and protect the quality of life in rural California counties. To learn more about RCRC, visit rcrcnet.org and follow @RuralCounties on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: RCRC
