Oklahoma wildfire aftermath: Key issues surrounding the firing of Forestry Service director

In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires that tore through Oklahoma on March 14, 2025, Governor Kevin Stitt's decision to fire Oklahoma Forestry Services (OFS) Director Mark Goeller has spurred controversy across the state.

The Governor insisted his move was necessary to ensure a more effective emergency response in the future. However, many argued Goeller's leadership and decades of experience are essential to the state.

Now, Oklahoma's leaders face important questions about the future of the Oklahoma Forestry Service and the state's approach to wildfire management. Here's a closer look at the key issues emerging from this contentious decision.

1. Governor Stitt’s Criticism and Decision to Fire Mark Goeller:

Governor Kevin Stitt fired Mark Goeller, the director of the Oklahoma Forestry Service, citing his mishandling of firefighting resources during the wildfires that broke out across the state on March 14, 2025. The Governor said Goeller failed to deploy all available firefighting resources, claiming that this led to more extensive damage and loss of life.

During his weekly address on April 2, Stitt suggested that the Forestry Service may be disbanded and its funds redirected to local fire departments to improve efficiency in future crises.

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2. The Scale of the Wildfires and the Response Failure:

Oklahoma experienced 158 wildfires in less than a week, destroying over 500 homes and causing the deaths of at least four people. Governor Stitt said an investigation by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF) and the Oklahoma Emergency Management Office revealed that the Oklahoma Forestry Service did not act with the urgency needed.

Gov. Stitt said that the reports showed delays in the deployment of firefighting resources, with some assets recalled during the crisis. This reported failure led to Governor Stitt's demand for reforms in the state's response to emergencies.

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3. Support for Goeller from the Firefighting Community:

Many people in Oklahoma's firefighting community have strongly opposed the Governor's decision. Tulsa Fire Department Engine Captain Shawn Clark and others expressed disappointment over Goeller’s firing, defending his leadership and years of service.

Many firefighters emphasized that the wildfires were an unprecedented crisis, and no agency, regardless of size, could have fully contained the situation. They argued that the Governor’s decision to blame Goeller was unjust and that the focus should have been on learning from the crisis to improve future responses rather than assigning blame.

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4. Backlash from Lawmakers:

Governor Stitt's actions have drawn criticism from multiple political figures, including Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who condemned the Governor's decision as politically motivated. Drummond expressed that Goeller’s leadership had been key in preventing even greater losses.

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Other lawmakers, particularly those with firefighting experience, said Stitt's actions left them confused and suggested that Goeller's firing undermined the efforts of first responders. Some lawmakers criticized the Governor for using the wildfire crisis to push a political agenda, including reducing government bureaucracy and focusing on tax cuts, rather than ensuring better firefighting resources.

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5. Debate on the Future of the Oklahoma Forestry Service:

The controversy has spurred significant debate over the future of the Oklahoma Forestry Service. Several public officials, including House Speaker Kyle Hilbert and Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, have strongly opposed the idea of disbanding the agency. They argue that the Forestry Service plays an essential role in wildfire suppression, forest management, and providing resources to rural fire departments, particularly volunteer units that rely on the agency for training and equipment.

The debate continues, with some pushing for reforms to improve the service rather than dismantle it entirely.

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