News that thousands of U.S. Forest Service employees have been laid off or taken an early retirement offer from the federal government is raising questions about the effects on the Allegheny National Forest.

The sweeping layoffs, part of President Donald Trump’s aggressive second-term cost-cutting measures, include non-firefighting personnel responsible for trail maintenance, hazardous fuel removal and fire mitigation. In Pennsylvania, the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) spans more than half a million acres and provides natural resources, recreation, and wildlife habitats. Fire prevention efforts in the ANF rely on personnel who maintain fire breaks, clear dry vegetation, and support firefighting operations. Many of those positions have now been eliminated.

The ANF has historically seen lower wildfire activity compared to the western states, but recent climate trends and extreme weather patterns have increased the threat. The region has experienced more dry spells, leading to greater wildfire potential. Experts warn that without proper staffing, emergency response times could be delayed, making fires harder to contain.

There were two forest fires in Warren County last fall – one in Glade Township and another near Youngsville – while a 62-acre fire burned in 2023 in the Bradford Ranger District of the forest. A 2022 wildfire in Glade Township burned another 259 acres and was later ruled an arson.

U.S. Agriculture Department officials didn’t formally confirm or deny the layoffs, but said a statement would be released when available. The USDA official said the agency has been deluged with press requests for comment.

According to the Associated Press, the layoffs come as the western United States are already bracing for another dangerous wildfire season. The effects are also being felt in Washington state, Montana, Idaho, and California, where fire prevention programs have lost key personnel.

Tanya Torst, who was fired from her position as a U.S. Forest Service partnership coordinator in Chico, Calif., emphasized the urgency of the situation.

“This is 100% a safety issue. Without these jobs, we’re putting people, homes, and entire ecosystems in danger,” Torst said, according to the Associated Press.

The AP also reported there have been at least three legal challenges filed. The AP reported Friday morning that U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper recently denied a motion from unions representing the workers to temporarily block the firings but acknowledged the disruption they have caused. Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island is considering a request to block the Trump administration’s freeze on federal funds that support wildfire prevention programs.