'A tough blow' | Budget shortfall leads US Forest Service to pause seasonal hiring

The US Forest Service says forecasted budget cuts mean it will not hire seasonal employees over the next fiscal year, despite union representatives warning of high attrition rates for experienced firefighters.

The Forest Service has not revealed the extent to which it expects budgets to be slashed but has warned regional directors to look for ways to reduce spending.

“As an agency, we have a responsibility to plan for the most conservative funding picture, and these actions reflect that reality,” said Scott Owen, a spokesperson for the Forest Service, in a statement.

Agency chief Randy Moore informed Forest Service employees last week to prepare for a different environment than from “how we have been operating the last couple of years,” adding that staff will “have to think differently how we do our work.”