'We're dry:' The new U.S. Wildland Fire Service prepares for extreme fire season

NPR | By Henry Larson,

Tinbete Ermyas, Emily Feng

Published May 9, 2026 at 2:03 PM CDT

Brian Fennessy, new head of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, says his agency is 'trying to bring on additional aircraft and bring them on early,' and dismisses criticism of prevention methods.

Weather, Environment, & Infrastructure

Henry Larson

Tinbete Ermyas

Emily Feng

Emily Feng is NPR's Beijing correspondent.

See stories by Emily Feng