Merkley, Wyden, call for long-term steps to boost firefighter recruitment, retention before pay hike expires

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) -- Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., joined Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet in a bipartisan letter urging the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs to consider a long-term solution to increase wildland firefighter recruitment and retention. In their letter, the Senators push for Congress to act before short-term pay increases for over 16,000 federal wildland firefighters funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are set to expire on September 30, 2023.

“Investing in our federal wildland firefighters is a matter of national security as critical infrastructure, homes, communities, structures, and natural resources are at grave and growing risk of catastrophic wildfire,” wrote the senators. “As the 2023 fire season begins, Congress must support our nation’s federal wildland firefighters and ensure the federal government has a robust and resilient workforce.”

Wildfires have become more destructive, dangerous, and costly in recent years, increasing the need to recruit and retain experienced wildland firefighters. The acreage burned by wildfires annually has doubled over the past two decades, with over 7.5 million acres burned last year alone. Between 2017 and 2021, wildfires destroyed an average of over 12,000 homes, businesses, and structures annually – more than three times greater than the prior five years. Over the past five years, the cost of these wildfires has been estimated to reach nearly $67 billion.

“Wildland firefighters are on the front lines of these crises, protecting homes and communities, and helping reduce megafires’ severity and scope. Despite their critical importance, federal wildland firefighters are stretched to their breaking point,” concluded the senators. “Firefighters deserve fair pay, support for their mental and physical health, and time to recover from their dangerous work. In a future with increasingly catastrophic wildfires, Congress cannot wait to ensure that the federal government has the necessary workforce to protect communities.”

Last Congress, bipartisan, bicameral efforts to provide relief to federal wildland firefighters led to short-term pay increases of up to $20,000 for over 16,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Interior firefighters as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These pay increases are set to expire on September 30, 2023.

Merkley and Wyden have been longtime advocates for wildland firefighters. In April, Merkley, along with Wyden, introduced bipartisan legislation to boost specialized wildland firefighter training at civilian conservation centers.

In addition to Merkley, Wyden, and Bennet, this letter is also signed by Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M).

Full text of the letter can be found here and follows below. 

Dear Chairman Peters and Ranking Member Paul:

We urge the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs’ swift consideration of legislation that authorizes a long-term solution to increase wildland firefighter recruitment and retention. Bipartisan, bicameral efforts during the 117th Congress – including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58) – provided temporary relief to the federal wildland firefighter workforce through a short-term pay increase of $20,000 or 50 percent of their base salary (whichever is less). This relief will expire on September 30, 2023 for the over 16,000 USDA and DOI firefighters who received temporary raises. As the 2023 fire season begins, Congress must support our nation’s federal wildland firefighters and ensure the federal government has a robust and resilient workforce.

Investing in our federal wildland firefighters is a matter of national security as critical infrastructure, homes, communities, structures, and natural resources are at grave and growing risk of catastrophic wildfire. These investments are critical for increased capacity, housing, mental health and well-being. Without increased capacity, work-life balance is a challenge. Across the West, extreme weather fuels frequent, large, and severe wildfires.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the total acres burned by wildfire has doubled in the last 20 years, with over 7.5 million acres burned in 2022 alone. Between 2017 and 2021, wildfires destroyed over 12,000 homes, businesses, and other structures on average annually, more than triple the preceding five-year period. These fires are exceptionally expensive, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimating wildfires costs during the past five years reaching nearly $67 billion. Climate data shows that wildfire season has increased by 80 days since the 1970s and climate projections show the wildfire season will continue to grow longer.

Wildland firefighters are on the front lines of these crises, protecting homes and communities, and helping reduce megafires’ severity and scope. Despite their critical importance, federal wildland firefighters are stretched to their breaking point. They are working increasingly long fire seasons under extreme conditions. A recent Government Accountability Office report found that low pay, poor work-life balance, and mental health challenges, among other factors, limit federal wildland firefighter recruitment and retention.

Firefighters deserve fair pay, support for their mental and physical health, and time to recover from their dangerous work. In a future with increasingly catastrophic wildfires, Congress cannot wait to ensure that the federal government has the necessary workforce to protect communities. We are grateful for the bravery of our wildland firefighters. We look forward to working with you to advance permanent solutions to ensure they get the pay and benefits they deserve.