Governor Stitt withdraws plan to abolish Oklahoma Forestry Service amid backlash

The American Farmers and Ranchers (AFR) Cooperative has voiced strong opposition to Governor Kevin Stitt's earlier proposal to disband the Oklahoma Forestry Service (OFS), which they deem a 'misguided terrible idea.' The OFS is crucial to Oklahoma's timber industry and plays a vital role in training and supporting rural fire departments. After significant public backlash and historic wildfires that devastated parts of the state, Governor Stitt has since reconsidered his stance, acknowledging the importance of the agency while criticizing its leadership's response during the crisis. Stitt emphasized that the agency is not being abolished but mentioned personnel changes due to dissatisfaction with its management. AFR officials reiterated that reducing the OFS could jeopardize the safety and livelihoods of Oklahomans, advocating instead for increased funding. The ongoing dialogue reflects a tension between resource allocation for fire services and the management of forestry resources in Oklahoma.