The U.S. Forest Service says it will not hire seasonal employees in the next fiscal year because of expected cuts to its budget, just as fire seasons grow longer, hotter and deadlier. “As an agency, we have a responsibility to plan for the most conservative funding picture, and these actions reflect that reality,” Forest Service spokesperson Scott Owen said in a statement. U.S. Forest Service firefighters Monday in San Bernardino National Forest in California. In March, the Forest Service asked for $8.9 billion for the coming fiscal year, an increase of $658.5 million over the previous fiscal year, according to the latest budget justification report. Forest Service Budget Director Mark Lichtenstein suggested in last week’s employee meeting that the federal government might have overcommitted funds.

---

Persons: We’re, ”, Andy Vanderheuel, Scott Owen, Gina Ferazzi, Randy Moore, ” Moore, Moore, Isaac Karuzas, we’re, Joe Biden, Mark Lichtenstein, ” Lichtenstein, Jacqueline Buchanan, we’ve Organizations: U.S . Forest Service, National Federation of Federal Employees, Forest Service, ”, . Forest Service, San Bernardino National Forest, Los Angeles Times, Getty Images, Infrastructure Investment, Jobs, Pacific Northwest Locations: California, Montana, ’ Idaho, Pacific Northwest Region, Oregon, Washington