California is launching a new initiative to address the critical shortage of forestry workers needed to combat increasingly severe wildfires and manage the state’s forestlands.
As California faces increasingly severe wildfire seasons, a new statewide initiative is raising awareness about the urgent need for forestry workers. The initiative aims to connect diverse communities with stable, high-paying careers in the forestry sector, which is crucial for managing and protecting the state’s vast forestlands.
During a media briefing hosted by American Community Media on March 31, 2026, forestry leaders and workforce advocates introduced the California Forestry Sector Jobs Initiative. Funded by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), this project seeks to address a growing workforce gap in the forestry sector.
The timing of this initiative is critical, as recent college graduates are navigating one of the toughest labor markets in a decade, marked by tech layoffs and the rise of AI-driven automation. Over the past ten years, California has witnessed approximately 11 million acres—about 11% of the state—burn due to wildfires, underscoring the need for a robust forestry workforce.
Matt Dias, President and CEO of the California Forestry Association (Calforests), highlighted the challenges facing the private sector, which currently employs around 55,000 people. He noted that the sector can no longer rely solely on traditional rural hubs to fill its workforce needs.
“The workforce within the forest product sector has been aging and is aging quickly,” Dias warned. “We have persistent staffing shortages that we are trying to get folks familiar with so that those opportunities can be sought by those that are interested.”
A primary objective of the initiative is to diversify a sector that has historically lacked representation from women, minorities, and urban residents. Dias acknowledged the industry’s past shortcomings in outreach efforts.
“It’s not really that there’s no barrier on behalf of the folks that may have been interested,” he explained. “I think the barrier lies in the fact that the sector hasn’t done a good job reaching out to these different populations at times and letting them understand that opportunities exist, and that’s the model that we’re trying to break right here.”
The program specifically targets underrepresented groups, including veterans and individuals from major urban centers like the Bay Area and Los Angeles, offering them pathways to what Dias describes as “solid-paying living-wage jobs.”
The wildfire crisis is no longer confined to remote mountain areas; smoke frequently affects urban air quality, and wildfire risks are increasingly encroaching on suburban neighborhoods. “This is an all-hands-on-deck scenario right now because this is an issue that affects everybody in the state of California,” Dias stated. “It really takes a true partnership, and in the spirit of that, we are trying to reach out to bring new voices and to help us work as partners to battle the wildfire crisis that we’re facing.”
Career opportunities in the forestry sector are broader than many realize, encompassing vocational trades such as welding and heavy equipment operation, as well as professional roles in GIS mapping, sales, and forest management. The initiative’s job portal currently lists nearly 100 openings, with expectations that this number will soon double. Many companies also offer internal training for those without prior experience, helping new hires advance in their careers.
Sandy Close, who moderated the briefing, emphasized the unique timing of the initiative. “It’s rare we get to focus on opportunities in the job field, especially for recent college grads,” she noted, pointing to the Forest Service as a viable alternative for those seeking meaningful work amid economic uncertainty.
For those concerned about the physical risks associated with forest fires, Dias offered a message of encouragement: “I don’t think that the [wildfires] are discouraging; I think it’s invigorating.” He observed that interest in forestry programs at universities like Cal Poly Humboldt and U.C. Berkeley has surged as the public seeks solutions to the climate crisis.
For more information on available positions and training opportunities, visit caforestryworkforce.com.
This article was written with support from the American Community Media Fellowship Program, according to India Currents.