News Release

NPS Director Chuck Sams thanks NPS firefighting staff during the height of the 2022 fire season

Date: July 7, 2022
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WASHINGTON – On the heels of a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park where National Park Service (NPS) Director Chuck Sams was briefed and witnessed firsthand the short- and long-term effects of wildfires on landscapes, Director Sams provided direction to the NPS firefighting workforce and issued the 2022 Leader’s Intent Memo. This memo emphasizes his commitment in supporting fire prevention and firefighting efforts and recognizes the NPS staff across the country who work to protect people and park resources, as well as surrounding communities, from catastrophic wildfire.

In a recent trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, Director Sams was briefed on the park’s fire management plan and visited areas impacted by the October 2020 East Troublesome Fire that burned over 21,000 acres within the park. The Director also saw the positive impacts of fuels treatment projects within the park that reduce the amount of burnable vegetation and prove to be an effective strategy in mitigating the impacts of fires, and in some cases, preventing wildfires.

“As Director of the National Park Service, I recognize the scale of the impacts that longer and more intense fire seasons have on parks and local communities,” said Director Sams of the memo. “NPS fire staff are prepared to respond to every fire and are well-positioned to make informed decisions to manage each fire. I have the utmost respect for the firefighting personnel who make sacrifices every day to keep people and park resources safe, and I thank the Biden-Harris Administration for their support of NPS firefighting efforts.”

In the memo, Director Sams highlights the impacts of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) as NPS works to implement its requirements that support the NPS fire and aviation workforce with increased pay, focus on mental wellness and health, and a new wildland fire management job series for federal firefighters. “Firefighters are public servants who perform critical and dangerous tasks to protect parks and communities,” said Director Sams. “This past Wildland Firefighter Day, I spent time reflecting on our dedicated firefighting staff, their families, and the communities that support them. It is imperative that they earn a living wage as they do this work.”

The Director’s memo also recognized the twentieth anniversary of the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, which uses lessons to provide positive change and reduce the likelihood of injuries, accidents, and fatalities within the wildland firefighting community in the future. Since its inception 20 years ago, the NPS has been a proud partner in sharing staff in the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center and working together to make consistent improvements on behalf of the firefighting workforce.

While NPS firefighting teams are at the ready to respond to any fire, visitors to national parks and other public lands can take a few simple actions to recreate responsibly and prevent fires on public lands. If you Plan Like A Park Ranger and Know Before You Go, you can help support wildland firefighters and prevent catastrophic wildfires.

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About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.