Forest Service tells Greenlee supervisors recent terminations, travel-management rollout could affect fire support and access

Vince Volker, district ranger for the Clifton Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service, told the Greenlee County Board of Supervisors that several recent employee terminations — some later found unlawful and under partial rehiring — have left the district “in flux” and could affect fire support, range monitoring and recreation maintenance across Greenlee County.

The staffing changes and an ongoing travel-management rule were the focus of a roughly hour-long presentation and Q&A at the county meeting. Volker said a plan from the U.S. secretary of agriculture addressing reductions in force should be available to employees in mid‑April; until then, some rehires may face lawful retermination under a reduction‑in‑force process. “There’s a lot of change in the Forest Service,” Volker said.

Why it matters: Supervisors and county staff pressed the Forest Service on how the staffing disruption could affect initial fire response and everyday services. County officials said they want regular updates and offered to coordinate county road and public-safety resources to support the Forest Service during fire season.

Volker named three categories of recently affected positions: a seasonal wildlife biologist who cleared areas prior to fuels treatments; a permanent range technician who completed…