Sept 18, 2020; Valyermo, CA, USA; Los Angeles County Firefighters 1106 work to extinguish the Bobcat Fire in Valyermo, California, one of the many neighborhoods near Angeles National Forest that have been threatened by the Fire. The Bobcat Fire, which has been burning since Sept. 6, is now 15% contained. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Hill-USA TODAY
Sacramento, California – As California heads into what could be another devastating fire season, Governor Gavin Newsom is sounding the alarm—not just about the flames, but about a dwindling firefighting force.
On Wednesday, Newsom unveiled a new recruitment campaign aimed at filling thousands of jobs at CAL FIRE, the state’s primary fire response agency. The move comes in response to a dramatic reduction in firefighting personnel, after roughly 300 California National Guard crews were diverted to Los Angeles under a deployment order from President Donald Trump. That diversion, Newsom said, has cut the state’s military-based firefighting support by three-quarters.
“This is no longer just about climate or funding,” Newsom said. “It’s about capacity—and the federal government is making that harder.”
The strain is being felt across multiple fronts. The Trump administration has already scaled back support for the U.S. Forest Service, which shares wildfire responsibilities with the state. With federal support shrinking and emergency demands rising, California is trying to fill the gap on its own.
The state’s new hiring push is centered on JoinCALFIRE.com, a job portal that outlines the department’s wide range of positions—from firefighters and foresters to tech specialists and logistics support. The state has added thousands of positions in recent years, but officials say they need thousands more.
“This isn’t just about boots on the ground,” CAL FIRE Director Joe Tyler said. “It’s about the entire ecosystem of wildfire response—planning, coordination, prevention, and recovery.”
Newsom’s announcement comes as the state prepares for the height of fire season, which has started earlier and ended later with each passing year. Wildfire risk is growing, driven by higher temperatures, prolonged drought, and overgrown vegetation. In response, California has invested more than $2.5 billion since 2020 in wildfire prevention, with another $1.5 billion slated in a pending climate bond.
Still, the governor has acknowledged that money alone can’t fight fires. Last month, California fast-tracked 13 vegetation management projects across nearly 7,000 acres and activated a second C-130 Hercules airtanker—part of what’s now the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet.
But with National Guard crews stationed in armories and federal agencies scaling back, the real challenge is human. Without trained professionals to carry out the work, even the best tools and plans fall short.
“This recruitment drive isn’t a stopgap,” Newsom said. “It’s a race against the next emergency.”
