The Trump administration has proposed changes to the U.S. Forest Service that would reduce the agency's size and eliminate certain wildfire and smoke research programs, according to reports.

The proposed changes come as the American West prepares for what meteorologists and fire officials anticipate could be an active summer fire season. The timing has drawn attention from environmental groups and forest management experts.

The U.S. Forest Service oversees 193 million acres of public land across 44 states and Puerto Rico. The agency's responsibilities include wildfire prevention, suppression, and post-fire recovery efforts, as well as forest management and research activities.

Wildfire research programs typically study fire behavior, smoke patterns, and forest ecosystem recovery. These programs provide data used by fire managers, air quality officials, and emergency planners to make decisions during fire season.

The proposed changes would need to go through the federal budget process and would require Congressional approval. Details about specific programs affected and the timeline for implementation have not been fully disclosed.