Vermont forestry officials outline expanded wildland fire program, warn of capacity gaps

Commissioner Daniel Fitsko, head of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, told the Government Operations & Military Affairs committee that the agency has reorganized its wildland fire work into a standalone program and added full-time specialists but still lacks critical equipment and supervisory capacity.

Fitsko said Vermont is “forest strong” — roughly three-quarters of the state is forested and most land is privately owned — and described the department’s responsibilities for state parks, recreation and forest health. He said the department now employs three full-time wildland fire specialists and is building training and response capacity in partnership with local volunteer fire departments, the Vermont Fire Academy and federal partners.

The presentation mattered because officials said Vermont experienced an above-average 2024 fire year, with a concentrated, active fall season that highlighted gaps in equipment, staffing and statewide mutual-aid availability. Agency staff warned the committee the state may return with resource or policy requests to strengthen suppression and preparedness.

Dan Dillon, the state forest fire supervisor, summarized the program’s work and 2024 activity. He said education and training are a major focus: the department delivered the wildland portion of Vermont Firefighter I courses and taught about 460 students last year. The agency oversees roughly 300 town forest fire wardens and issues fire danger…