April Ehrlich

Field rangers and ecologists were among the 2,000 Forest Service workers the U.S. Department of Agriculture says were fired. Many were also certified wildland firefighters that assist on major fires, including former park ranger Liz Crandall. Crandall, who's based in central Oregon, says she has helped fight 12 large wildfires.

Field rangers and ecologists were among the 2,000 Forest Service workers the U.S. Department of Agriculture says were fired. Many were also certified wildland firefighters that assist on major fires, including former park ranger Liz Crandall. Crandall, who's based in central Oregon, says she has helped fight 12 large wildfires.

A USDA spokesperson says the Forest Service did not fire any operational firefighters and is, quote, committed to preserving essential safety positions, but did not respond to questions about employees who were certified to fight fires as secondary roles. For NPR News, I'm April Ehrlich in Portland, Oregon.

A USDA spokesperson says the Forest Service did not fire any operational firefighters and is, quote, committed to preserving essential safety positions, but did not respond to questions about employees who were certified to fight fires as secondary roles. For NPR News, I'm April Ehrlich in Portland, Oregon.