Wyden seeks investigation into alleged diversion of firefighting resources

Wyden seeks investigation into alleged diversion of firefighting resources

Published 12:57 pm Friday, August 28, 2026

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., is seeking an investigation into whether a senior Trump administration official improperly diverted federal firefighting resources to a small wildfire near his private ranch in Idaho.

Wyden and two other Democratic senators this week asked the Trump administration for answers about the actions of Michael Boren, the USDA undersecretary for natural resources and environment.

The senators said Boren pressured U.S. Forest Service personnel to redirect scarce firefighting resources to the seven-acre Cabin Creek Fire near his 480-acre ranch in the Sawtooth National Forest.

Nine aircraft were reportedly assigned to the fire, according to the senators’ letter, which described that as an unusually high level of resources for a fire of its size.

“Mr. Boren’s actions constitute potentially a misuse of taxpayer funds and put American families at further risk by diverting scarce resources from high-priority wildfires,” the senators wrote.

The letter was also signed by Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn, and Martin Heinrich, D-NM. The senators are asking the Agriculture Department for a full investigation into Boren’s involvement in the Cabin Creek Fire and a detailed accounting of safeguards intended to prevent political interference or conflicts of interest in federal wildfire response.

The request comes as Oregon faces a severe wildfire season and shortages of firefighting personnel and resources. More than two million acres have burned Oregon this year.

Wyden’s office said fires threatening Oregon communities have received fewer resources than were assigned to the Cabin Creek Fire. The senators also cited staffing and funding cuts under the Trump administration as contributing to the strain on federal firefighting resources.

Boren was appointed USDA undersecretary for natural resources and environment under President Donald Trump. The position oversees the U.S. Forest Service, which manages wildfire response on national forests.