The U.S. Forest Service is set to terminate approximately 3,400 federal employees at all levels of the agency starting Thursday, as confirmed by sources familiar with the situation.
Targeting Probationary Employees
This action is directed towards employees still in their probationary period, making their dismissal relatively easier.
Impacted Roles
While firefighting positions seem unaffected, other roles supporting wildfire prevention face cuts. Employees involved in road and trail maintenance, timber production, and watershed restoration are also affected.
Deadline Consequences
The layoffs follow the deadline for the Trump administration's 'Fork in the Road' initiative, urging employees to resign but remain on the payroll until September. The number of USDA employees opting for deferred resignation remains undisclosed.
Workforce Reduction
This workforce reduction, around 10% of the agency's total 35,000 employees, could potentially hamper wildfire management and federal land upkeep efforts. Probationary employees are often engaged in fieldwork, such as timber sales and wildfire mitigation.
Broader Impact
Similar cuts are anticipated in other federal agencies like the Department of Energy and Small Business Administration. The Trump administration's drive to reduce government spending has led to workforce slashes and operational changes in various departments.
Administrative Measures
USDA has placed diversity, equity, and inclusion-focused employees on administrative leave, while the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development has resulted in furloughs for several Foreign Agricultural Service staff.