As Wildfires Increase, the U.S. Is Losing More Wildland Firefighters Than Ever

In 1993, the federal government fought wildfires on 1.79 million acres. By 2021, that figure had more than quadrupled. The U.S. Forest Service’s highly skilled wildland firefighters are the last line of defense against these wildfires, but that line is fraying because the government decided long ago that they’re not worth very much.

In the past three years, the Forest Service has suffered an attrition rate of 45% among its permanent employees.

Read our full investigation here: https://propub.li/3vfZ1nZ

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Видео As Wildfires Increase, the U.S. Is Losing More Wildland Firefighters Than Ever канала ProPublica