As the wildfire season begins in the United States, the federal government is preparing for an immense threat to the safety of its citizens: an exodus of wildland firefighters due to a major pay cut.

This potential crisis is a direct result of the 2021 infrastructure law passed by President Joe Biden, which provided a temporary pay boost to thousands of firefighters on the front lines of climate change.

However, this financial aid is slated to be short-lived, and experts worry that the lack of wages could motivate many of these brave public servants to quit. Steve Lenkart, the executive director of the National Federation of Federal Employees union, was vocal in his fears. “I honestly think at least a third could go within a matter of months,” said Lenkart.

This could have a devastating effect on the ability of the government to protect its citizens and contain the wildfires. The pay cut, however, is not the only factor driving this potential exodus. The job of wildland firefighter is both dangerous and physically taxing, and the pay is often too low to be sustainable for many.

Moreover, the risks associated with the job, such as smoke inhalation, are rarely taken into account when wages are calculated. Even with the temporary pay boost provided by the 2021 infrastructure law, the wages are still below what many workers consider livable.

The consequences of a potential exodus of wildland firefighters are clear: thousands of homes, businesses, and lives would be put at risk. To mitigate this, the government must take immediate action and secure a more permanent solution to the pay crisis.

This could include additional funding from the 2021 infrastructure law, or even direct intervention from the Biden administration. The role of wildland firefighters is invaluable, and their bravery should be rewarded accordingly.

The 2021 infrastructure law provided temporary relief during a difficult period, but the government must now take further steps to ensure that these brave men and women are protected and compensated fairly for their work.Without this, an exodus of wildland firefighters could soon be a reality, and the consequences of such a scenario are too dire to ignore.