Shutdown Leaves Wildfire Response Under-Resourced While Radicals Push Healthcare for Illegal Aliens

Washington, D.C.—Today, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) issued the following statement from Jason Hayes, Director of Energy and Environment, and June Cutter, Executive Director of America First California, regarding how the government shutdown affects wildfire preparedness:

“Many critical wildfire-mitigation activities, including prescribed burns, hazardous fuels treatment, and other preparedness operations, are being delayed or suspended during the government shutdown, according to the U.S. Forest Service and Department of the Interior’s official contingency plans. These measures are essential to reducing fuel buildup, protecting communities, and preventing catastrophic fires.

When the federal government shuts down, preparedness suffers. Projects that clear hazardous vegetation, train firefighters, and stage resources ahead of fire season depend on a fully staffed and funded workforce. With thousands of federal employees furloughed or limited in their duties, essential mitigation work has been disrupted.

The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles showed what’s at stake when crews don’t have enough support: families displaced, neighborhoods damaged, and responders doing everything they can with too little help. A shutdown only makes that harder.

While this vital work is halted, radicals in Congress continue holding the government hostage to push taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal aliens. They are ignoring the very real safety and environmental threats Americans face.

It’s time to reopen the government, restore America’s wildfire-readiness, and put the safety of Americans ahead of partisan games.”