Friday, January 2, 2026
Wildfire mitigation efforts in New Mexico have dropped significantly, according to a new report by a wildland firefighter advocacy group. The group analyzed data from the U.S. Forest Service and found that critical wildfire mitigation activities, including prescribed burns and hazardous fuel treatments, have decreased by 53% since President Donald Trump took office in January 2017. This decline has raised concerns about the ability to prevent catastrophic wildfires in the state.
The report highlights a troubling trend when comparing the Trump administration’s final years with the Biden administration’s efforts. Despite a continued focus on wildfire mitigation, the U.S. Forest Service has fallen behind in treating flammable fuels across the country’s national forests.
In 2023, the federal government treated just under 203,000 acres of forest in New Mexico, removing flammable fuels such as dead trees, dry brush, and grasses. However, in 2025, that number had dropped to just over 68,000 acres, showing a dramatic decrease in critical fuels reduction work.
Bobbie Scopa, executive secretary of the advocacy group Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, expressed concern over the impact of this reduction. “The reason we want to thin and prescribe burn is because we want a healthy forest, and we want to keep it safe so we don’t lose the entire forest when there’s a fire,” Scopa, who spent 45 years as a firefighter, explained.
The decline in prescribed burns and other fuels treatments is part of a broader reduction in hazardous fuels reduction efforts, which fell by 38% in 2025 compared to the average over the previous four years. These treatments are vital for reducing the intensity and spread of future wildfires, which could otherwise endanger nearby communities.
The reasons for this significant drop in wildfire mitigation efforts are multifaceted. According to U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz, operational challenges, combined with ongoing wildfires in both the U.S. and Canada, have strained available resources. The increased number of active wildfires has drawn resources away from prescribed burns and other mitigation projects.
Scopa pointed to additional factors, including severe budget cuts during the Trump administration and the ongoing effects of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. These issues have created an environment where forest management and mitigation efforts have struggled to keep pace.
“It’s like a chess game, trying to manage to get the work done,” Scopa noted, explaining the difficulties that federal wildland firefighters face in trying to meet increasing demands with fewer resources.
The reduction in wildfire mitigation efforts adds to an already significant backlog of forest management projects. There are currently an estimated 80 million acres in need of forest management, a challenge that is compounded by a shrinking workforce in the Forest Service.
“People are literally killing themselves,” Scopa said. “Not only are they suffering from smoke exposure and physical injuries from carrying heavy loads up and down mountains, but the stress is taking a toll on their mental health.” The mental health challenges faced by firefighters, coupled with the intense physical demands of the work, highlight the unsustainable pace at which these crews are operating.
The past few years have been an uphill battle for federal wildland firefighters. While they recently secured a permanent pay raise after a years-long fight, issues with staffing, low morale, and inadequate protective equipment continue to affect the industry. These challenges hinder the Forest Service’s ability to maintain a strong, effective workforce to address the growing wildfire risk.
The decrease in wildfire mitigation efforts is particularly concerning as New Mexico faces predictions of a drier and warmer winter. Weather officials are forecasting a continuation of the weak La Niña weather pattern, which could extend this year’s fire season and further elevate wildfire risks.
With the state experiencing a prolonged fire season and a significant gap in mitigation efforts, the pressure on wildland firefighters is mounting. The lack of adequate preparation could lead to larger, more intense wildfires that are harder to control, putting both forest ecosystems and communities at risk.
The data analysis underscores the critical need for increased investment in wildfire mitigation efforts, particularly in New Mexico. With a shrinking workforce, dwindling resources, and a growing backlog of forest management projects, it is clear that the current system is struggling to keep up with the increasing threats posed by wildfires.
Advocacy groups like Grassroots Wildland Firefighters are calling for more funding, improved staffing, and greater support for wildfire mitigation efforts. Without these, it may be increasingly difficult for the U.S. Forest Service to address the ever-growing risk of catastrophic wildfires in the western U.S.
In conclusion, the 53% decline in wildfire mitigation efforts in New Mexico since the start of the Trump administration highlights a growing problem in the fight against wildfires. With a reduced workforce and ongoing resource constraints, the U.S. Forest Service is facing significant challenges in managing the nation’s forests. Urgent action is needed to ensure that the necessary resources are in place to mitigate the risks of increasingly destructive wildfires in the future.
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Tags: Forest Management, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, U.S. Forest Service, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, woodworking industry, woodworking USA
