Forest Service plan to close research stations stokes fear as wildfire season approaches

By: Alex Brown

Outlets: Stateline

Published: April 17, 2026

Words: 1,227

Last Updated: 2 months ago

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The U.S. Forest Service’s plan to close scores of research stations could threaten the nation’s wildfire readiness, many foresters fear, and erode decades of work to understand timber production, soil health, pests and diseases, watersheds and wildlife.

Late last month, the Forest Service announced plans to close 57 of its 77 research stations, located across 31 states, merging them into a single organization in Fort Collins, Colorado.

The agency described the move as a way …

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