Forest Service crews conduct prescribed burns to reduce the buildup of dry brush & other wildfire fuels. This active management work improves wildfire resiliency & slow future wildfire spread. Our crews plan & carry out each burn with care, under optimal weather conditions..
#SharedStewardship means working together across boundaries. With this renewed agreement, USDA and Alabama #partners will continue reducing wildfire risk, improving #habitat, and expanding recreation opportunities across public and private lands. #NRCSfs.usda.gov/about-agency/new…
ALT Signatories meet to renew the Alabama Shared Stewardship Agreement at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, Alabama. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is seated. Back row, from left: Ben Malone, state conservationist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Michelle Samuel-Foo, deputy regional forester, U.S. Forest Service; Kennon White, assistant chief South Region, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Tom Schultz, chief, U.S. Forest Service; Rick Oates, state forester, Alabama Forestry Commission; Ben Stimpson Jr., commissioner, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and Linwood Butler, forest supervisor, National Forests in Alabama. (Forest Service photo by Dawn Suiter)
It’s Forest Products Week 2026!
Over the past 10 years, we have sold approximately 3 billion board feet annually or enough timber to build 111,000 homes.
By 2028, our goal is 4 billion board feet or enough for 148,000 homes. #ForestProductsWeek
Public-land grazing is more than turning cattle loose.
Permittees check water, repair fences, monitor vegetation, treat livestock and move cattle away from sensitive areas, sometimes visiting allotments several times each week.
fs.usda.gov/about-agency/fea…
Why are leaves red? Anthocyanins!
Anthocyanins are responsible for giving leaves their dark red and purple colors. These protective plant compounds protect the tree from cold and dehydration.
Look for them on our map storymaps.arcgis.com/stories…
(FS photo by Kelly Morrissey)
ALT A dry red leaf with yellow veins is on a background of brown bark.
"It is with deep sorrow that I share the tragic news that U.S. Forest Service Wildland Firefighter Kaitlyn “KK” Gallagher died in the line of duty. Our hearts are with her family, her crewmates and colleagues and everyone who knew and loved her."
-Chief Schultz
National forests and grasslands offer 164,000 miles of trails in nearly every state — inviting you to hike, bike, ride, and explore the beauty of your public lands.
Find your next adventure today!
(Forest Service video.)
Our crews begin post-fire recovery as soon as it is safe. We assess burned areas, stabilize soil, and protect water sources to help the land heal.
(Forest Service photo)
Fuelwood permits are available year-round through our E-Permits website epermits.fs2c.usda.gov/ – quick, easy, & ready whenever you are. Grab your permit before heading out & enjoy the warmth all winter long. This applies to personal-use firewood. #FirewoodMonth
And just a heads-up: this applies to personal-use firewood. Permits are not required for small amounts you might gather for a campfire while visiting.
#FirewoodMonth
Forest Service offices will be closed on Monday, October 12, in observance of the federal holiday, but national forests and grasslands remain open for your enjoyment.
Stay safe, pack out what you pack in, and enjoy your big backyard!
Perfect fall weather at Clark Lake on the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan, where sun, blue skies, clear water, and bright orange leaf colors are all putting on a show. Get out and enjoy your big backyard! fs.usda.gov/visit/fall-color…
(Forest Service photo by Shanelle Saunders)
Forest Service has finalized updates to its objection process, cutting timelines by up to 73% to help deliver forest health, grazing, infrastructure & habitat projects faster. The new rule streamlines reviews, boosts efficiency & keeps public input strong. fs.usda.gov/about-agency/new…
ALT A man in forest service uniform with a hard hat and orange vest works in the back of a truck.
Civil Engineer Justin Noell, from the Stanislaus National Forest, California, works on a Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) project at the Columns of the Giants Day Use Area, replacing the vault toilet with a SST toilet accessible pathway.
(USDA Forest Service photo by Preston Keres)
This vintage poster shares age-old wisdom from @smokey_bear.
Recreate responsibly by making sure fires are dead out before leaving.
Remember, only you can prevent wildfires.
Find your next adventure at the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. The North Fork Mountain Trail leads to stunning views like this one from Chimney Top, where sunrise lights up the cliffs and fall colors stretch for miles. fs.usda.gov/visit/fall-color…
Deep in the heart of the Rockies, a new museum allows visitors to tap into the deep roots of the Forest Service, as well as see the future of forestry in the United States spreading out like a canopy above them. fs.usda.gov/about-agency/fea…
Know before you fly! There have been 82 reported drone incursions in 2026. When a drone flies near a wildfire, firefighting aircraft may be forced to shut down operations, delaying suppression efforts and disrupting aviation support for firefighters on the ground.