U.S. Forest Service

An Arizona man lived illegally in Tonto National Forest for eight years, accumulating nearly 1,000 pounds of trash at a campsite. He pleaded guilty to fire restriction violations and unlawful residential use, receiving three months of probation and a $20 fine.

Mark Aaron Gatz is accused of illegally living in Arizona's Tonto National Forest for years and accumulating approximately 1,000 pounds of trash at a campsite. He faces multiple charges, including unauthorized residency and violating fire restrictions, and was arrested with six prior federal warrants.

Mark Aaron Gatz is accused of living illegally in Arizona's Tonto National Forest for years, accumulating about 1,000 pounds of trash at a campsite. He faces multiple charges, including violating fire restrictions and unauthorized residency, and could receive up to five years in prison. Forest Service officers repeatedly warned him to clean up and leave but found ongoing violations.

Mark Aaron Gatz is accused of illegally living in Arizona's Tonto National Forest for years and accumulating approximately 1,000 pounds of trash at a campsite. He faces multiple charges, including unauthorized residency and fire violations, with court documents describing the site as one of the 'worst residential cases' due to debris like clothing, tools, and a rock fireplace. Gatz was arrested in June and has six outstanding federal warrants.

A 31-year-old novice climber survived a 1,500-foot slide down California's Mount Shasta after a helicopter rescue was delayed by clouds. Rescuers hiked to the injured climber, stabilized her, and later evacuated her by helicopter to a hospital. She sustained a suspected fractured ankle and other injuries but remained alert.

A 31-year-old woman survived a 1,500-foot fall while climbing Mount Shasta in Northern California on June 28, sliding down steep, icy, and rocky terrain over five football fields, as reported by the U.S. Forest Service.

Three firefighters were killed in a Colorado-Utah wildfire while using emergency shelters to protect themselves. They were part of a specialized crew deployed by helicopter to combat rapidly escalating fires, and their deaths occurred nearly 13 years after a similar tragedy in Arizona. Wildfires continue to threaten Western regions, prompting evacuations and deploying thousands of firefighters.

La muerte de tres bomberos en un incendio forestal en Colorado ha centrado la atención en la creación por parte del gobierno de Donald Trump de un nuevo servicio federal de incendios y en la reactivación de una política de 'supresión total' de incendios, criticada por su enfoque contrario a prácticas anteriores que permitían quemados controlados. La consolidación de personal en el servicio ha causado confusión sobre roles, mientras que las empresas privadas de aviación contra incendios benefician del enfoque de extinción rápida.

President Donald Trump will attend the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota, celebrating Roosevelt's conservation legacy. The library opens July 4 in Medora, near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and highlights Roosevelt's contributions to public land preservation.

President Donald Trump will attend the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota, celebrating Roosevelt's conservation legacy. The library opens July 4 near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, highlighting his efforts to protect public lands and establish national parks.

Three firefighters were killed in a Colorado-Utah border wildfire while deploying emergency shelters to protect themselves. They were part of a specialized crew using helicopters to combat rapidly escalating fires, and their deaths occurred nearly 13 years after a similar tragedy in Arizona.

Three federal wildland firefighters, including Emily Barker of Michigan, died in a burnover incident while battling merged fires near the Utah-Colorado border. The National Federation of Federal Employees and advocacy groups raised concerns about safety, staffing shortages, and escalating fire risks during the early phase of the 2026 wildfire season.

Three firefighters died while using emergency shelters during a Colorado wildfire. They were part of a specialized crew deployed by helicopter to fight rapidly escalating fires. A similar incident occurred in Arizona in 2013, where 19 firefighters died under similar circumstances.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is demanding federal reparations after accusing the DEA of allowing fentanyl pills to flood the state during an undercover operation without notifying local officials. She claims the crisis has cost the state over $1.5 billion in public safety and health initiatives and called for federal accountability and funding.

Three firefighters were killed in a Western wildfire while deploying emergency shelters to protect themselves from flames. They were part of a specialized crew responding to rapidly escalating fires near the Colorado-Utah border.

Multiple large wildfires are burning in western Colorado, causing evacuations, closures, and rapid spread due to high winds. The Snyder Fire merged with other fires and resulted in three firefighter deaths, while the Gold Mountain Fire, caused by a tree falling on a power line, has burned over 4,200 acres and prompted evacuations in Ouray County.

Three firefighters were killed and two others were injured in wildfires along the Colorado-Utah border after flames overtook them while deploying emergency shelters. The deceased were part of a specialized Helitack crew deployed to remote areas to combat new fires. Wildfires have rapidly spread across the West due to dry weather and low snowfall, with over 4,600 square miles burned this year.

A lawsuit challenging a logging project in Oregon could disrupt federal management of public lands across the West, affecting industries like mining, logging, and outdoor recreation. The case centers on Congress using the Congressional Review Act to revoke recent land policies, potentially invalidating permits and management plans.

A lawsuit challenging an Oregon logging project could disrupt federal management of public lands across the West, potentially invalidating permits and management plans for industries like mining, drilling, and logging. The case centers on Congress using the Congressional Review Act to revoke Biden-era policies, raising concerns about legal uncertainty for federal land management.

Mandatory evacuations have been issued in Lake County, Colorado, due to the Willow Fire, which has burned over 1,000 acres near Twin Mounds and Mount Massive. The fire is on U.S. Forest Service land, and evacuations cover multiple roads, trails, and campgrounds. No injuries or structural losses have been reported, and the cause remains undisclosed.

Mandatory evacuations are in effect for several areas in Lake County, Colorado, due to the Willow Fire near Twin Mounds and Mount Massive. The fire, estimated at five to 20 acres, is growing but has not caused injuries or structural damage. Resources from local, state, and federal agencies are responding, and displaced residents can seek assistance at the Family Assistance Center.

Three firefighters were killed and two injured during a burnover incident while battling the Snyder Fire near the Colorado-Utah border. The firefighters, employed by the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and U.S. Forest Service, were part of an interagency response to merged wildfires covering 44 square miles. High temperatures and strong winds exacerbated the fire's rapid spread.

Three wildland firefighters died while responding to the Knowles and Gore fires along the Colorado-Utah border on June 27. The firefighters were serving with the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.

Three firefighters were killed and two injured while battling wildfires on the Colorado-Utah border, where hot and windy conditions caused flames to overtake them during a burnover. The incident occurred during efforts to contain the merged Knowles, Gore, and Snyder fires, which have burned over 44 square miles. Additional wildfires, including the Cottonwood Fire in Utah, are intensifying due to extreme weather.

Three firefighters were killed and two injured while battling wildfires on the Colorado-Utah border during a burnover incident in Mesa County, Colorado. The incident occurred as part of efforts to combat the merged Knowles, Gore, and Snyder fires, with hot and windy conditions exacerbating the situation.

Three federal firefighters were killed and two injured in a wildfire near the Colorado-Utah border due to a burnover incident. The incident involved the Knowles and Gore fires, which merged to form the Snyder Mesa Fire, burning over 28,000 acres. Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency, authorizing the National Guard in Mesa County.

The Cottonwood Fire in Utah, now the largest in the US, is rapidly spreading through canyons and mountains, damaging the Eagle Point ski resort and closing public lands. Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared an emergency as the state faces one of its worst wildfire seasons, with extreme fire weather conditions and human-caused fires contributing to the crisis.

The Cottonwood fire in Utah's Fishlake National Forest has grown to 92,000 acres, driven by strong winds and low humidity. Firefighters are struggling to contain the blaze, which is now the largest fire in the US and remains 0% contained.

The Cottonwood fire in Utah's Fishlake National Forest has grown to 92,000 acres due to strong winds and low humidity, becoming the largest active wildfire in the US. Firefighters report 0% containment, with the blaze intensifying overnight by an additional 20,000 acres.

A fast-moving wildfire in Utah, the largest in the U.S., spread overnight due to heat and dry winds, forcing evacuations and damaging areas like the Eagle Point ski resort. The Cottonwood Fire, now over 144 square miles, was exacerbated by extreme weather conditions, with air tankers grounded and communities ordered to evacuate. Officials reported no injuries or deaths, but warned of critical weather and ongoing fire containment challenges.

A fast-moving wildfire in Utah, the largest in the US, spread overnight due to heat and dry winds, forcing evacuations and damaging the Eagle Point ski resort. The Cottonwood Fire, covering over 144 square miles, caused unhealthy air quality in areas like Marysvale and led to highway closures. Officials noted extreme weather conditions and warned of continued critical fire behavior.

A lawsuit challenging a logging project in Oregon could disrupt federal management of public lands across the West, potentially invalidating permits and management plans for activities like mining, logging, and recreation. The case stems from Congress using the Congressional Review Act to overturn Biden-era policies, raising concerns about legal uncertainty for industries and conservation efforts.

Five campgrounds in Colorado's Dillon and Blanco Ranger Districts have no water due to dry wells caused by drought. Campers are advised to bring their own water, and some express concerns about wildfires and low water levels at Dillon Reservoir.

A 58-year-old driver from Phoenix crashed his SUV on Imogene Pass near Telluride after sliding off an icy road. The San Miguel County side of the pass remains closed due to snow and ice, despite confusion from Ouray County's mistaken signage indicating the entire pass was open. The driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized.

Evacuations for the Spring Creek Fire in Eagle County were lifted after 'excellent progress,' though road closures remain. The fire, which burned 20 acres and was 40% contained as of Friday night, is being investigated for its cause. Fire suppression efforts continue with multiple agencies and aerial resources involved.

President Trump is attempting to reduce the U.S. Forest Service and remove wildfire and smoke research funding as the American West faces a potentially severe summer fire season.

A federal judge blocked the U.S. Forest Service from using President Trump’s energy emergency order to fast-track a 226-mile transmission line in Nebraska, citing failure to properly evaluate environmental and cultural impacts. The R-Project, which would cross the Nebraska Sandhills, faced legal challenges from environmental groups and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe over its potential harm to endangered species and historic trails.

Western conservation groups partially won their case against the U.S. Forest Service over the impact of road and vehicle access on grizzly bears and bull trout in the Bitterroot National Forest. A Montana federal judge ruled that the agencies failed to adequately assess the environmental effects of Amendment 40, which removed road-density restrictions, and did not properly consult on bull trout habitat.

Vermont's public lands face rising maintenance costs, leading to proposed fee increases for state parks and federal recreation sites. State and federal agencies aim to balance affordability with necessary maintenance, with Vermont Governor Phil Scott supporting the proposals while emphasizing accessibility for low-income families.

Internal confusion and budget delays at the U.S. Forest Service in Vermont have disrupted research and conservation projects. Federal cutbacks, streamlined environmental reviews, and a focus on emergencies under the Trump administration have caused routine purchases to stall and left staff struggling with reduced resources.