The U.S. Forest Service could lose between 30% and 50% of its 11,000 firefighters if Congress doesn’t approve a permanent pay increase by September, the National Federation of Federal Employees says.
In 2021, a federal infrastructure law temporarily boosted firefighter salaries by $20,000. But the pay bump is set to expire in September, which could lead to a mass exodus of workers leaving the federal agency.
NBC News reports that San Bernardino National Forest saw 42 firefighters resign in 48 hours in May. Many of them left to join Cal Fire, which offers better salaries and lighter work schedules.
But others may leave the firefighting workforce entirely to seek better pay in other sectors.
“Some are going to work, literally, at In-N-Out Burger because they can make 20 bucks an hour,” Steve Lenkart, executive director of the National Federation of Federal Employees, told Al Jazeera.
Firefighter advocate groups say the loss of so many Forest Service firefighters would be devastating, especially in Southern California, where a wet winter and scorching summer have set the stage for a catastrophic wildfire season. Four separate wildfires broke out in Riverside County last weekend, including the Rabbit Fire, which has grown to almost 8,000 acres.
Lawmakers introduced a bipartisan Senate bill last week that would keep the current pay boost in place. It would need to be passed by September to avert the potential wave of resignations.
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