2.5 million acres burned. That’s a policy choice
We are still in Oregon's wildfire season. And already, it's the worst on record, with over 2.5 million acres burned.
It didn't have to be this way. This was a policy choice.
In 2025, the Trump administration took a sledgehammer to wildfire preparedness:
- It defunded federal programs that help states like Oregon marshal resources on the ground to limit fire damage
- Teaming up with Elon Musk and DOGE, the administration fired 1,400 qualified federal firefighting personnel — jobs that haven't been replaced
- They reorganized the Forest Service, replacing high-ranking experts with political lackeys and defunding 57 research stations that studied drought and forest management
The Trump administration both made it harder to prepare for fires and harder to contain them once they ignite.
This is a betrayal of our forests and wildlife. It endangers people, homes, and livelihoods. It makes the air less breathable.
Every step of the way, I've pressed the Trump administration on how these cuts would impact what was sure to be a brutal fire season. And each time, it was clear they didn't have a plan.
Restoring the necessary funding and personnel to the Forest Service is a top priority of mine. I'll continue to hold this administration accountable for its reckless actions, and I'll keep working closely with state officials to ensure that Oregonians remain safe.
More soon,
Ron
