Staff shortages pull Forest Service office workers into fire roles

Staff shortages pull Forest Service office workers into fire roles

Lauren Paterson / NWPB

September 25, 2025 / 9:54 am

After a slew of firings and deferred resignations last winter, the loss of federal workers left holes throughout the Northwest.

“When we get to peak fire season, it's kind of an all-hands-on-deck call, if you will,” said Jim Wimer, a fire prevention officer for the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.

U.S. Forest Service employees who are normally in the office — like wildlife biologists or hydrologists — jumped in to help with fire information this summer, he said.

“We recruited lots of Forest Service employees into the fire information function, trying to train folks that have the interest into public information officer roles,” Wimer said, adding that the