The U.S. Forest Service has announced plans to reduce staffing on fire crews in the San Bernardino National Forest this summer. The budget cuts could result in a reduction of the number of firefighters by up to 50 percent, severely hampering the agency's initial attack capabilities.

Rumors of the proposed cuts have now been confirmed by U.S. Forest Service officials in San Bernardino who issued statements Tuesday indicating the preliminary fire-preparedness budget for the current fiscal year is $13.8 million compared to $15.1 million in fiscal year 2005.

“We plan to visit the staffing every two weeks,” according to San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor Jean Wade-Evans, “and have the ability to request severity funding to increase staff in the event they are needed.

“We currently have 343 fire personnel in the San Bernardino National Forest including 180 seasonal employees,” Wade-Evans added. She explained the temporary worker positions became effective May 15.

“We're getting as many staff members on board as quickly as possible,” Wade-Evans added. “It's a fluid situation and one we're constantly monitoring.”

News of the agency's reduction of crew sizes from 25 to possibly 12 engines spread like wildfire through the mountain communities.

Last month, San Bernardino County Fire Chief Pat Dennen received approval from the board of supervisors to increase staffing at 10 rural fire stations from Idyllwild to Wrightwood. Chief Dennen at the time said the increased staffing was based on a report prepared by a multi-agency Structure Protection and Safety Plan (SPSP).

The SPSP document shows fire fighting hazards in San Bernardino National Forest are basically the same as they were in August 2003 just prior to the Old Fire.

At deadline, Forest Service supervisors including Chief Mike Dietrich were quick to defend the budget reductions and stress staffing for hotshot crews (like the Del Rosa Hotshots) and aviation resources based at San Bernardino National Airport and other facilities would remain unchanged from last year.

“We have four hand crews (Hotshots) fully staffed,” Wade-Evans emphasized, “and the aviation resources are funded nationally and don't come out of our local budget.”

A Forest Service spokesperson indicated there 25 engines were staffed with about 175 firefighters last year seven days a week. The plan announced by Chief Dietrich calls for 20 engines on weekends and 15 engines weekdays.

A usually reliable source told The Mountain-News that due to days off and other scheduling limitations their could be as few as 12 engines staffed on certain days each month.

Again, Wade-Evans contends the staff levels are sufficient to meet current fire conditions and promised reviews as conditions warrant.

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