Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell has voiced concern over staffing cuts at the National Weather Service, which she says have left much of the country ill-prepared for this year’s hurricane and fire seasons.

The concern comes as recent wildfire maps show Washington faces an “above-normal” threat for “significant wildland fire potential” over the next four months.

According to Cantwell, the agency has lost more than 560 employees in recent months due to layoffs and retirements. Although it recently announced plans to hire 126 new employees, the agency’s current staffing shortage has left it struggling to fill critical roles.

“We’re very concerned about the administration slashing a workforce that is essential for weather forecasting that affects both hurricane and wildfire seasons,” Cantwell

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