California faces challenges as federal shutdown disrupts disaster response efforts

Federal gridlock has led to a government shutdown, impacting disaster preparedness and response in California. As of this morning, thousands of federal employees in the state have been furloughed and key disaster recovery programs have been put on hold. While wildfire crews and emergency responders remain active, support for community preparedness, forest management, prescribed burns, and recovery grants is now frozen.

Governor Gavin Newsom addressed these concerns, stating: "Communities across our state are less safe because of Trump’s government shutdown. Thanks to Donald Trump, critical wildfire preparedness and disaster recovery programs are on pause. This can’t go on – Republicans need to act to end this shutdown."

The National Weather Service continues to provide forecasts and warnings but has suspended long-term climate research and upgrades to forecasting tools due to the shutdown. With administrative and planning staff sidelined, efforts toward prevention are delayed.

FEMA teams remain operational as essential personnel, but grants, reimbursements, and technical assistance for disaster recovery throughout California are currently delayed. Local communities relying on federal aid after fires, floods, or storms face uncertainty as funding remains unavailable.

The shutdown also affects federal staffing in several areas:

- Approximately 25% of federal forest service staff focused on prevention and planning are furloughed.

- FEMA and Department of Homeland Security grants related to disaster reimbursement and mitigation are paused.

- Many research functions at NOAA have stopped.

- Prescribed burns, forest management projects, and community preparedness initiatives statewide are delayed.

- More than two-thirds of National Park Service staff nationwide—over 9,000 employees—are furloughed. This leaves only basic emergency coverage at national parks in California while many facilities remain closed.

State agencies including CAL FIRE, Cal OES, CHP, and the California National Guard continue operations despite the federal impasse. CAL FIRE remains fully staffed during fire season.

California has invested heavily in wildfire readiness in recent years. CAL FIRE has added an average of 1,800 full-time and 600 seasonal positions annually over the past five years. The agency plans further hiring over the next four years. Recent state investments include $135 million for new prevention projects and $72 million for ongoing work across California; since 2019 the Newsom administration has allocated more than $5 billion toward wildfire resilience.

In March 2025, a state of emergency proclamation allowed for expedited approval of 103 vegetation management projects covering more than 25,000 acres.

The current situation stands in contrast with recent cuts by the Trump administration to the U.S. Forest Service workforce—reductions that may impact wildfire response this year—and proposed reorganizations that would close regional offices across the West.