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State forestry says staffing, pay and retirement gaps are driving talent loss to federal agencies
Summary
Wyoming State Forestry and county fire wardens told the appropriation committee that a small state staff, lack of firefighter retirement benefits for state firefighting roles and limited seasonal positions have led to turnover and difficulty scaling during big fire seasons.
Wyoming’s State Forestry Division told the Joint Appropriations Committee that staffing shortfalls and benefit differences are reducing the state’s on‑the‑line wildfire capacity and creating turnover to federal fire agencies.
Kelly Norris, the Wyoming state forester, said the division has roughly 50 full‑time employees statewide and only a handful of positions directly dedicated to firefighting and aviation support; several senior staff members have decades of experience and are nearing retirement.
“Wildland firefighter fighting is a profession and it…
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