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North Carolina Forest Service outlines staffing, equipment and suppression costs; asks commissioners to maintain cooperator agreement
Summary
Senior ranger Scott Sheets described an operational budget increase driven by equipment replacement, staff needs, and aviation/suppression costs and urged continuing the county’s cooperator agreement that covers wildfire suppression and related services.
Scott Sheets, senior ranger for the North Carolina Forest Service district that includes Gates County, gave commissioners an overview of forestry operations, staffing shortfalls and the costs associated with fire suppression and equipment.
Sheets said the forester position has been open for nearly a year and that staff turnover is common; he cited a market reference of about $39,000 starting salary for a county ranger position he described as difficult to fill. He said the district is carrying multiple vacancies and that some line items (truck replacements, personal protective equipment such as Nomex gear and wildland footwear) are driving increases in the state‑managed portion of the budget.
Cooperator agreement and suppression costs: Sheets explained that the county’s cooperator agreement with the state provides a “safety net” for suppression costs; counties under a cooperator agreement share a percentage contribution (Sheets cited a 35% contractual share for the county, based on tax calculations). He warned commissioners that without a contract, a single suppression event — particularly when aircraft are used — can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Sheets provided an aircraft/hourly rate sheet and said the district maintains aviation and aerial resources whose use is expensive but critical in large events. He also described local investments: a district drone program (two qualified pilots in the county and an infrared drone) and the purchase price of a mobile drone platform (Sheets referenced roughly $9,000). He said equipment and PPE purchases to outfit personnel are expensive (examples: firefighting pants range widely; outfitting a new employee requires two sets of pants/shirts and boots).
Fire tower and capital: Sheets discussed an aging fire tower on the district property; demolition would require bonding and could cost roughly $70,000 when removal is permitted. He said the tower’s maintenance needs are significant and noted state guidance on either encasing or removing unsafe stairs.
No formal vote was taken. Commissioners questioned whether certain capital items should be deferred and asked county staff to review the forest service budget details in the broader county budget context.
