Federal firefighters keep showing up to work, even though their paychecks could stop at any moment.
LEAVENWORTH, Wash. — As the government shutdown continues, Washington state wildland firefighters face an uncertain future, working without guaranteed paychecks while contending with an already challenging fire season.
The U.S. Forest Service, the nation’s largest firefighting force, is among the federal agencies grappling with the shutdown’s impacts. While firefighters continue responding to wildfires, critical support functions are being scaled back, raising public safety concerns across the state.
“Folks in eastern Washington who work in the federal fire service are not receiving paychecks but are being asked to show
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