Reps. Neguse Leads Letter Imploring Federal Agencies to Properly Implement Wildland Firefighter Pay

Washington, D.C. — Last week, Congressman Joe Neguse, founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus, joined by Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21), Josh Harder (CA-9), and Dina Titus (NV-1),  wrote to officials at the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) to express concerns surrounding overtime pay for wildland firefighters and request an explanation on next steps to ensure these individuals are being paid in accordance with new standards enacted through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

Wildland firefighters protect communities from property damage, mass evacuations, threats to air quality, and the tragic loss of human lives. Nearly every major wildfire in the U.S. relies on a response from federal wildland firefighters and the vital services their specialized crews provide. The historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law directed the DOI and USFS to address wildland firefighter health. 

The lawmakers wrote, “Federal wildland firefighters are paid significantly less than their counterparts at state and local wildland fire agencies. A recent study conducted by the Government Accountability Office found that low pay was the most commonly cited barrier to recruiting and retaining federal wildland firefighters. We must ensure that this critical workforce receives an increase to their base salaries without the potential docking of any existing overtime pay.”

Read the full letter HERE. 

In response to the letter, the firefighter advocacy group, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters said, “Sincere gratitude to Rep Neguse, Rep Costa, Rep Harder and Rep Titus for continuing to advocate for federal wildland firefighters and for their leadership in asking necessary questions of USDA and DOI officials.  Grassroots Wildland Firefighters call on them to also hold the departments accountable regarding a permanent pay fix, ensuring it is done properly instead of as work-arounds because of antiquated federal pay systems.”

Rep. Neguse has emerged a leader in bolstering wildfire mitigation and resiliency for communities across the West. In July 2022, Congressman Neguse secured the passage of his Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act, a monumental legislative package to prevent wildfires, boost wildland firefighter pay, and fund resilience and mitigation projects.

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