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Officials warn Forest Service staffing cuts have thinned backcountry patrols; county seeks help restoring alpine rangers and restitution after escaped burn
Summary
County officials told Congressman Hunter that cuts to U.S. Forest Service staffing have reduced alpine ranger presence and left minimal federal backcountry law‑enforcement coverage in the judicial area.
County commissioners and local law enforcement told Congressman Hunter they are seeing operational impacts from cuts to U.S. Forest Service staffing that have reduced seasonal alpine ranger positions and left the county with minimal federal wilderness law‑enforcement coverage.
Speakers said the Forest Service currently has as few as one law‑enforcement ranger assigned to a broad patrol area in the judicial district, and county officials said Alpine Ranger and similar seasonal programs previously performed outreach, education and backcountry compliance work that local sheriffs would otherwise have to perform at greater cost.
“We can’t do it on ourselves and buy ourselves with our resources, so we really have to rely on that,” an elected county official said, noting a recent 300% increase in visitors to high‑mountain recreation areas over the last few years. Sheriff Berry and other local officers described reliance on Forest Service seasonal staff for search and rescue, compliance with backcountry rules and public‑contact functions.
County officials said some seasonal positions had recently been converted to permanent roles but then terminated during probationary periods; they asked the congressman’s office to investigate whether those employees could be reinstated and to press for restored funding. Congressman Hunter said he would ask staff to review names and follow up with the agency.
Separately, commissioners raised a controlled burn that county speakers said “got out of hand” and damaged private property. County officials said they have not been contacted about restitution for affected property owners and asked the congressman to help identify avenues for compensation. The meeting record contains no indication of any legal determination of liability or of formal restitution actions to date.
The discussion produced requests for federal funding and staffing support for backcountry enforcement and for agency engagement on the escaped burn; no formal directives or votes were taken at the meeting.
