Rapid snowmelt and Trump cuts compound wildfire fears in US west

Region is experiencing an unusually warm spring, raising concerns of fierce wildfire season amid limited resources

Unusually warm springtime temperatures have contributed to rapid reductions in snowpacks across the western US that rival the fastest rates on record, increasing concerns around wildfire season.

The rapid snowmelt, in addition to reduced staffing and budget constraints initiated by the Trump administration, has set the stage for a particularly dangerous season across the west, according to an analysis of publicly available data by the Guardian and interviews with experts in the region.