In the remote Zuni Mountains of northwestern New Mexico, concerns about the upcoming fire season are mounting as the region experiences unusually dry conditions. Brian Leddy, a cabin owner who leases land from the U.S. Forest Service, highlights the challenges of obtaining insurance and expresses worries about the impact of funding cuts on federal lands agencies. The Department of Government Efficiency’s cuts, led by Elon Musk, have resulted in job losses and uncertainty about the agencies’ ability to respond to wildfires effectively.

The situation is further complicated by the elimination of hundreds of Forest Service jobs, leading to a lack of confidence in the government’s ability to manage wildfire threats. The morale among federal workers is low, with critical projects on hold due to frozen or reduced funding. Locals in Taos County and other parts of New Mexico express anxieties about the lack of staffing and support from federal agencies during a perilous time.

While some rural westerners support streamlining federal land agencies, tensions persist due to historical conflicts and recent mismanagement incidents. As the region braces for a potentially challenging fire season, concerns about the readiness and effectiveness of the Forest Service persist. Overall, the article sheds light on the complex interplay between federal land management, funding cuts, and community resilience in the face of escalating wildfire risks in the American West.