Nation Jan 18 Biden administration plans to increase controlled burns in Western states at risk for wildfires By Matthew Brown, Associated Press
Science Jul 23 ‘Fire is medicine’: How Indigenous practices could help curb wildfires These techniques are resurfacing in local fire management collaborations between tribes, U.S. Forest Service and non-governmental organizations to help prevent now-common calamities. By Casey Kuhn
Nation Oct 21 Report: U.S. public land workers assaulted, threatened on job The report did not say whether rates of assaults and threats were increasing. By Matthew Brown, Associated Press
Nation Aug 08 Smokey Bear, icon of forest fire prevention, is turning 75 The icon of the longest-running public service campaign in the U.S. is being honored with birthday parties around the country this week. By Associated Press
Politics Jan 11 Watch 2:24 Shutdown impact: Training, preparation for fighting wildfires An unexpected impact of the government shutdown: canceled training for wildland firefighters. With wildfires becoming more frequent, firefighters have a shorter off-season to prepare. Now that compressed window for training and gear acquisition has become even shorter due to the…
Nov 15 Watch 5:12 Forest Service chief tells Congress that progress on harassment ‘will take longer than any of us wants’ Earlier this year, the PBS NewsHour reported on sexual harassment and assault within the U.S. Forest Service, revealing a culture of abuse and retaliation. On Thursday, Chief Vicki Christiansen and a former employee who faced harassment testified before the House… Continue watching
Nov 15 Forest Service chief says there’s progress in combating sexual misconduct. Dozens of women say there’s not enough By Joshua Barajas Lawmakers at Thursday’s hourslong hearing were presented with a dichotomy: an agency that promises it has made progress in addressing harassment and reprisal, and a former employee who says the changes amount to a “band-aid” to deep-seated problems. Continue reading
Nov 15 WATCH: House committee holds hearing on misconduct and retaliation in the U.S. Forest Service By Joshua Barajas In interviews with the PBS NewsHour last year, 34 women who worked for the Forest Service across multiple regions described a workplace culture that was hostile to women, and an agency that often fell short in properly addressing complaints of… Continue reading
Mar 21 New female Forest Service head launches review of harassment, sexual misconduct in the agency By Elizabeth Flock The review comes weeks after a PBS NewsHour investigation into these issues, especially in the agency’s firefighting ranks, along with the departure of Forest Service Chief Tony Tooke amid allegations of his own sexual misconduct. Continue reading
Mar 09 Watch 3:56 Letter to Congress sheds light on misconduct allegations that led to U.S. Forest Service chief’s resignation By PBS NewsHour The chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Tony Tooke, stepped down this week following a NewsHour investigation into allegations of a culture of sexual misconduct and retaliation within that agency, as well as questions about his own behavior. William Brangham… Continue watching