A feature article in the New York Times today highlights growing pressures on wildland fire readiness in the Western region of the United States, due in part to proposed funding cuts to states for training and personnel in the U.S. Forest Service's 2009 budget. This would "cut our ability to train volunteers and supply equipment,” said Wyoming State Forester Bill Crapser.

According to the article, USDA Undersecretary Mark Rey said proposed cuts in state aid programs for fire preparation "had been to some extent made up for by new money for conservation and forestry that was part of the farm bill recently passed by Congress."