SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – There are multiple fires burning throughout California right now as the state's fire season takes off this year.
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As fire crews struggle to combat the flames from each blaze, fire personnel shortages continue to persist in the U.S. Forest Service, which protects a big portion of the state's wilderness areas.
The number of federal firefighters assigned to California is down to its lowest level in years, a shortage of nearly 1,300 employees.
According to reporting by the San Francisco Chronicle, the shortfall has left holes in engine teams, hotshot units and dispatchers at many of the state's 18 national forests.
This hinders the agency's ability to help contain wildfires when they erupt.
"There's no doubt that that's going to have an impact," said Scott Stevens, a professor of fire science at UC Berkeley.
According to Stevens, a big part of the problem is the starting wage for federal firefighters is $15 an hour, far less than the $20 an hour offered by CAL FIRE.
"I've heard in Washington, D.C. that they are trying to work to get federal firefighters up to a living wage," he said. "I think that’s going to be needed because you have to pay people to do this work, and it’s really hard work."
Until recruitment improves, The U.S. Forest Service plans to continue bringing in firefighters from other parts of the country and contract with local and private fire departments.
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