Wildland Firefighter Shortage in Western U.S.

SOURCE www.npr.org
The forecast for a hotter-than-normal summer has Westerners concerned as up to a quarter of all U.S. federal wildland firefighter jobs are currently unfilled.

Key Points

  • Hotter-than-normal summer forecast
  • Up to a quarter of all U.S. federal wildland firefighter jobs unfilled

Pros

  • Increased awareness of the need for more wildland firefighters
  • Potential for more job opportunities in firefighting sector

Cons

  • Understaffing could lead to challenges in containing wildfires
  • Risk of increased damage to wildlife and property due to lack of resources