Rep. Junie Joseph Condemns Use of Federal Firefighting Resources to Protect Private Ranch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 18, 2026

BOULDER, Colo. — Colorado State Representative Junie Joseph condemned reports that Michael Boren, the Trump administration official who oversees the U.S. Forest Service, personally pressed federal officials for additional firefighting resources while a small wildfire was burning near his private ranch in Idaho.

According to reporting by The Washington Post, Boren contacted Forest Service officials multiple times in July about the seven-acre Cabin Creek Fire near his Hell Roaring Ranch in Idaho’s Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Officials told the Post that Boren asked why more aircraft had not been deployed and when additional resources would arrive. Approximately nine aircraft ultimately responded to the fire, an effort that cost nearly $115,000 in federal funds. At least some aircraft were diverted from firefighting efforts elsewhere in Idaho.

“Federal firefighting resources exist to protect the American people and our public lands, not to provide special treatment to wealthy and politically connected individuals,” said Rep. Junie Joseph. “It is deeply troubling that a senior official overseeing the Forest Service would use his position to press for additional resources for a fire near his own private ranch, particularly when firefighters across the West are being asked to take extraordinary risks to protect communities.”

The contrast is especially stark in Colorado, where four firefighters died after being trapped by the fast-moving Knowles Fire in June. Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, Sydney Watson and Nathan Matthews made the ultimate sacrifice while responding to a wildfire in western Colorado.

“Four firefighters lost their lives this summer doing the very job these federal resources are supposed to support,” Joseph said. “Their families, their fellow firefighters and communities across Colorado are grieving. Taxpayer-funded resources should be prioritized based on threats to human life, public safety and communities, not the private property of someone with access to the highest levels of government. Our firefighters deserve better, and the American people deserve better.”