An article recently published by Emily Gardner for Eos examining the severe wildfire season in Colorado and Utah highlights FSEEE Executive Director Kevin Hood’s concerns about recent changes to the U.S. Forest Service.
The article reports that historic drought, record-low snowpack, and extreme heat have contributed to multiple large wildfires across the two states, including Colorado’s Aspen Acres Fire and Utah’s Cottonwood Fire. Against this backdrop, Gardner examines how recent federal policy changes could affect the nation’s long-term wildfire preparedness.
Hood told Eos that while the fires burning today cannot be directly attributed to recent Forest Service layoffs or the proposed closure of most of the agency’s research stations, he is deeply concerned about the long-term consequences of dismantling the Forest Service’s scientific capacity.
He explained that Forest Service research is invaluable because many research stations have operated for decades, providing long-term data on how forests change over time and respond to wildfire. Those stations also support place-based science, allowing researchers to develop deep knowledge of local forests, climate, vegetation, and terrain.
The article also discusses the administration’s emphasis on a “full suppression strategy” for wildfires. Gardner notes that current research suggests suppressing every wildfire can increase the risk of larger, more destructive fires in the future by allowing fuels to accumulate. Hood echoed that concern, recalling a fire ecologist who once asked, “Do we want a severe fire now or an extreme fire later?”
“You’re going to have fire in a fire-evolved ecosystem, but we seem to be just trying to deny that reality,” Hood said.
Hood also expressed concern that diminishing investment in scientific research will ultimately undermine effective land management.
“I think this is a reflection of the current administration’s war on research, science, and education,” Hood told Eos. “Perhaps you’re saving a little bit of money, but the loss of knowledge and effective land management, in my opinion, that’s going to far outweigh any benefits or any gains from cutting those research stations.”
The article reinforces a concern FSEEE has raised repeatedly: science-based forest management depends on maintaining the research infrastructure and expertise needed to understand increasingly complex wildfire conditions. During an already severe wildfire season, preserving that scientific capacity is more important than ever.
Photo: Smoke from wildfires as seen from Colorado’s 14,000-foot Crestone Peak
