The Trump administration’s plans to consolidate wildfire management between the Interior and Agriculture departments could come into greater focus next week as Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz travels to Montana.
Wildfire is a focus of the chief’s travel, according to Forest Service employees familiar with his schedule, although it’s not the only topic as the administration also seeks to shift more forest responsibility to states and increase timber production.
“Being with the people and communities we serve, the Chief is better able to bring their voices back to Washington and help shape policies that will have meaningful impact on the ground,” a USDA spokesperson said in a statement, without commenting on specific topics or forthcoming announcements.
The spokesperson said Schultz’s tour, which includes his home state of Idaho, is meant to gather perspective from local leaders, communities and land managers “on the unique challenges they face.” He’s about four months into the job overseeing the 193-million-acre system.