In Valley County, Idaho, for example, data show that the Forest Service is the area’s third largest employer — ahead of a school district, the local hospital and a major ski resort.

The U.S. Forest Service is likely facing half a billion dollars in budget cuts from Congress. This means the federal agency will have less money and staff for maintaining public lands. In western Wyoming, a nonprofit is helping fill the gaps.

Federal firefighters make as little as $15 an hour. A permanent boost has bipartisan support, but it’s tied up in Congress’ budget fight.

A prescribed burn that went awry in New Mexico has some questioning the value of the practice, but scientists say we need prescribed burns more than ever because of climate change.

With a pay raise funded by the infrastructure bill stuck in bureaucratic morass, the agency is struggling to staff up to the full force it needs.

Managed burns take communication between federal officials and locals.

Multiple wildfires continue to burn in California, prompting evacuations, preventive power outages and a scramble for funds to pay to fight the fires.