Politics Jun 20 Biden administration won’t ban logging in old-growth forests, but new plan still vexes industry By Matthew Brown, Associated Press
Politics Oct 23 U.S. Forest Service sued over flooding deaths in the wake of New Mexico’s largest recorded wildfire The wrongful death lawsuit filed in early October alleges the agency was negligent in the management of the prescribed burn that caused the blaze. By Associated Press
Politics Sep 01 Trump-era change allowing the logging of old-growth forests violates laws, judge says The findings came in response to a lawsuit filed by environmental groups over the change. Hallman recommended that the U.S. Forest Service should be required to prepare a full environmental impact statement related to the change. By Associated Press
Nation Apr 23 Lawsuit over water pollution could curb use of aerial retardant to fight wildfires A legal dispute in Montana could drastically curb the government's use of aerial fire retardant to combat wildfires after environmentalists raised concerns about waterways that are being polluted with the potentially toxic red slurry that's dropped from aircraft. By Matthew Brown, Associated Press
Nation Jan 18 Biden administration plans to increase controlled burns in Western states at risk for wildfires The Biden administration plans to significantly increase efforts to stave off catastrophic wildfires that have been torching areas of the U.S. West by more aggressively thinning forests around areas where nature and neighborhoods collide. By Matthew Brown, Associated Press
Jul 23 ‘Fire is medicine’: How Indigenous practices could help curb wildfires By Casey Kuhn 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. Continue reading
Oct 21 Report: U.S. public land workers assaulted, threatened on job By Matthew Brown, Associated Press The report did not say whether rates of assaults and threats were increasing. Continue reading
Aug 08 Smokey Bear, icon of forest fire prevention, is turning 75 By Associated Press The icon of the longest-running public service campaign in the U.S. is being honored with birthday parties around the country this week. Continue reading
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… Continue watching
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