U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins held a roundtable discussion with U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighters to express gratitude for their service during the recent California fires. The meeting, which took place in Washington, D.C., focused on gathering feedback from firefighters on how the Forest Service could better support them.
"Every time you respond to a call, you risk your lives to protect our people, our communities, and our beautiful homeland—and it doesn’t go unnoticed," stated Secretary Rollins. She acknowledged the courage shown by the firefighters amidst challenging conditions, noting that "our entire country was horrified by the images of the raging winds, smoke, and flames during the fire that you all were fighting, most recently in the Palisades and Eaton." She emphasized that despite the devastation, "all of America was inspired by your bravery."
During this engagement, Secretary Rollins sought recommendations from firefighters on effective strategies for preventing and extinguishing fires swiftly. She also explored ways to enhance support and resources available to them.
The discussion included members from two notable crews: The Mark Twain National Forest Veteran’s Crew based in Missouri—comprising military veterans—and a wildland fire engine crew from Angeles National Forest in California. These teams are known for their nationwide response efforts to combat wildfires.
Secretary Rollins reiterated her commitment to valuing firefighter perspectives and feedback as she continues meeting additional crews across the country. Her goal is to ensure that "the United States has the strongest and most prepared wildland firefighting force in the world."
On her first day in office, Secretary Rollins also sent a video message and letter to all U.S. Forest Service firefighters expressing her appreciation for their dedication.
