As Donald Trump gears up for his second term in the White House, wildfires are raging across the U.S., sending smoke into the skies over California and even as far as New York and New Jersey. These fiery reminders highlight a growing crisis that shows no signs of slowing down.
Wildfires aren’t just a seasonal nuisance anymore—they’re a year-round challenge. Communities across the country are choking on smoke-filled air, federal firefighters are overworked and underpaid, and insurance costs are soaring. Add to that the devastating toll on homes, landscapes, and lives, and it’s clear this problem needs urgent attention.
But Trump’s track record and plans for the future are raising concerns. Instead of tackling the wildfire problem head-on, his administration seems set on dismantling efforts to address climate change and weakening the agencies that respond to disasters.
The Stakes Are High
During Trump’s first term, he faced several major wildfires, including the devastating Camp Fire in California, which claimed 85 lives in 2020. Yet, his response often missed the mark. Trump famously blamed the fires on poor forest management, telling Californians to “clean their forests” of leaves and broken trees. Meanwhile, that same year, a record 10.2 million acres burned across the U.S.
His remarks—and his administration’s approach—frustrated experts who emphasized the importance of strategic forest management, like controlled burns and protecting old-growth forests. Without these measures, wildfires are more likely to spiral out of control.
As Trump prepares for another term, the risks have only grown. Some hope he’ll streamline processes to speed up forest treatments, but others worry his plans could do more harm than good, like pushing timber sales over more effective fire prevention strategies.
Federal Firefighters Are Burning Out
One major concern is the state of federal firefighters, who are often the first line of defense against these blazes. They work grueling hours, risk their lives, and earn paychecks that sometimes rival those of fast-food workers. Many are leaving their jobs, frustrated by low wages and lack of support.
President Biden had temporarily raised their pay, but those increases are set to expire soon. If Trump and a Republican-led Congress don’t make those raises permanent, many more firefighters could walk away, leaving the U.S. even more vulnerable during fire season.
“We need a well-staffed, well-funded team to fight these fires year-round,” says Jonathan Golden from Grassroots Wildland Firefighters. “But that’s at risk if changes aren’t made.”
Natural Disasters on the Rise
The U.S. has seen an alarming rise in billion-dollar natural disasters. In 2023, there were 28 such events—a record-breaking number. With 2024 not even over, we’re already at 24.
Trump has a history of using disaster aid as a political tool. During his first term, he threatened to withhold wildfire funding from Democratic-leaning states like California. This time around, there’s worry he’ll cut funding further, shifting the burden of disaster response to state and local governments.
Under plans like Project 2025, Trump’s team has suggested scaling back federal disaster aid, limiting who can access funds, and even tying aid to policies that align with Trump’s agenda. These changes could leave states like California scrambling to manage fires without the necessary resources.
Science and Preparedness Under Fire
Trump’s skepticism about climate change is well-documented, and his cabinet picks suggest that his administration will double down on deregulation. For example, Lee Zeldin, his choice for the Environmental Protection Agency, and Doug Burgum, tapped for the Department of the Interior, are expected to roll back environmental protections and prioritize resource extraction over climate action.
There are also fears that Trump might dismantle key science-focused agencies, like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which provides crucial weather forecasting. Without their expertise, responding to wildfires and other disasters will become much harder.
“This isn’t just a repeat of Trump’s first term,” warns Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California. “This time, the damage could be deeper and harder to undo.”
What’s Next?
While some states like California are stepping up their own wildfire prevention efforts, such as investing billions in mitigation and landscape treatments, wildfires don’t respect state borders. Without federal support, the whole country will feel the impact of a warming planet and rising disaster risks.
Experts stress that the stakes couldn’t be higher. “Climate change is a massive crisis, and we don’t have time to waste,” says Julia Stein from UCLA. “Federal inaction will have national and global consequences.”
As Trump’s second term unfolds, the question remains: Will his administration take the wildfire crisis seriously, or will their policies fan the flames even further?
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