New federal fire agency will also address wildfire fuels, officials tell Montana lawmakers

“Frankly, everybody has a lot of serious questions about this new U.S. Wildland Fire Service,” said Sen. Willis Curdy, D-Missoula, who was himself a longtime wildland firefighter.

Last year, President Donald Trump issued an executive order, directing the consolidation of federal wildland firefighting agencies. On Wednesday, representatives from the newly united U.S. Wildland Fire Service gave the Montana Environmental Quality Council an update on their plans for the 2026 fire season and beyond.