Posted: March 30, 2025 | Industry News
North Carolina has seen a troubling rise in wildfires over the past few years. Just last week, two separate wildfires broke out right here in the Triad. And while flames are dangerous enough, there’s another growing concern behind the scenes — the ongoing staffing shortages at the North Carolina Forest Service.
The Forest Service is the primary agency responsible for fighting wildfires across the state. But these days, they’re trying to do that job while running critically understaffed. Philip Jackson, Public Information Officer for the N.C. Forest Service, says it’s a persistent challenge that’s affecting their ability to protect North Carolina’s forests and communities.
“When we’re the lead agency for wildfire response, this isn’t a forest you want 100 positions consistently unfilled,” Jackson explained.
Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated issue. These vacancies are spread across all three regions of the state. According to Jackson, each region is short about 30 to 35 positions.
That’s a significant gap when you consider how important the Forest Service’s work is — both for wildfire response and long-term forest management. The shortage affects not only their ability to put out fires but also their day-to-day efforts to maintain healthy, productive forests.
And when wildfires pop up, as they often do, these vacancies stretch the staff even thinner.
Last week alone, Forest Service crews responded to a large brush fire in Stokes County. On the same day, they tackled another fire in Surry County and a third in McDowell County. In some areas, like McDowell County, there are no Forest Service employees on staff at all. That means neighboring counties have to step in to help — a strategy Jackson calls the “rob Peter to pay Paul” approach.
It works for now, but it’s not a long-term solution.
The reality is, these vacancies aren’t just numbers on a page. They take a real toll on the people who show up every day to protect our state’s forests. When staff is stretched too thin, it forces employees to work longer hours, stay on-call around the clock, and carry heavier workloads.
“That means someone’s going to be on call 24/7,” Jackson said. “If you’re in an area that sees larger vacancy rates, that just means you’re going to be on call more often and for longer. It runs folks into the ground.”
It’s no surprise, then, that turnover rates at the N.C. Forest Service remain unusually high. Many employees have cited low pay and poor work-life balance as their reasons for leaving. And while wildfire risks are rising, the workforce responsible for fighting them is shrinking.
When asked what’s being done to address the shortage, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture — which oversees Forest Service salaries — didn’t provide a response.
Despite these challenges, the Forest Service continues to answer the call. They show up for every wildfire, every emergency, and every request for help — even when they’re short-staffed.
“We’ll continue to do the best that we can,” Jackson said. “But until those salaries are at a more livable wage, this is what — it is what it is.”
At Carolina Forestry & Realty, we understand how critical the work of the N.C. Forest Service is. Our state’s forests are not only a resource but a way of life — and they deserve to be protected by a team that’s fully supported and staffed.