LOS ANGELES: California Senator Adam Schiff is raising alarm over a new federal hiring freeze that could result in Southern California losing more than 15,000 seasonal firefighters this year.
The freeze, enacted by President Trump’s executive order, has already stalled hiring efforts by the United States Forest Service (USFS), potentially threatening the state’s wildfire preparedness.
Seasonal Firefighters: A Critical Lifeline for Fire-Prone Regions
Every spring, the USFS hires thousands of seasonal firefighters to supplement its permanent force. These seasonal workers are crucial to fighting California’s devastating wildfires—blazes that often rage through dry, fire-prone regions and have caused widespread destruction in recent years.
“We need all the firefighters we can possibly have to come to our rescue,” said Bonnie Campbell, a resident near the site of the 2020 Bobcat Fire, which destroyed nearly 200 homes. That fire required assistance from federal, city, and county fire crews.
Schiff’s warning comes as experts predict another intense fire season this summer.
Impacts of the Hiring Freeze
Although the executive order does not specifically target public safety jobs, Schiff warns that the freeze is stalling the onboarding process for seasonal wildfire personnel.
“Seasonal firefighters are essential to the public safety of those who live in fire-prone areas,” said Schiff in a statement. “Impeding the hiring of federal firefighters threatens California’s firefighting capacity and puts communities at great risk.”
Without seasonal hires, federal fire crews across Los Angeles County—from Castaic to Rancho Cucamonga—could be severely understaffed.
Residents React to the Crisis
Local residents have mixed reactions to the potential reduction in firefighting personnel:
- Bonnie Campbell, who lives in a fire-prone area, fears the worst:“We won’t have any live federal firefighters, but we’ll have a lot of dead bodies of residents who won’t have the protection they deserve.”
- Others, like Robert Rinaldo, believe the situation will be sorted out before it becomes catastrophic:“Take a step back. Get out the executive order, take a look at it and read it. Calm their fears. They’re not really going to let California burn down.”
Voluntary Resignations Could Worsen the Problem
Schiff also raised concerns about the voluntary resignation letters submitted by federal firefighters. He fears that further resignations, combined with the hiring freeze, could deplete California’s firefighting force at a critical time.
Schiff has requested the Trump Administration to respond by Feb. 14, seeking clarity on how the hiring freeze will be managed and whether exceptions can be made for essential public safety roles.
California, already weakened by multiple recent wildfires, faces increased risks if federal firefighting resources are not fully staffed before the upcoming fire season. With 15,000 positions potentially unfilled, the state’s ability to combat wildfires could be compromised, leaving residents in fire-prone areas vulnerable.
Schiff’s call for immediate action emphasizes the urgency of resolving this issue before it’s too late. Californians are now waiting for a response from federal officials that could determine the state’s readiness for the summer ahead.
