The U.S. Forest Service is planning a round of hiring in July to fill 363 vacancies in California, all at supervisory levels or above.
Senator Dianne Feinstein says that's too late for the agency to begin planning for this year's fire season. The agency oversees 50 million acres in the state,
The senator said in a statement Tuesday that she is concerned fire engines might sit idle if positions go unfilled.
The Forest Service has struggled to fill vacancies in California, where senior firefighters are lured to better-paying state and municipal departments.
Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey, who oversees the Forest Service, said the agency is considering offering retention bonuses to some staff.
