With 16-hour days for weeks straight, long separation from friends and family, and regular exposure to serious immediate and long-term risks, wildland fire pushes people to both their physical and mental limits. But the recently launched federal Wildland Fire Therapy Service is now available to help those workers ease the mental strain of battling wildfires.

The 4th of July, statistically, is one of the heaviest days of the year for wildfire starts. And this year the holiday comes amid heightened risk for major blazes.

The pace of booking for lodging in Western U.S. mountain destinations slowed for the sixth month in a row in May.

Birthright citizenship laws could be different in each Mountain West state after the U.S. Supreme Court reduced judicial powers.

Farrell Hayes represents something that veteran firefighters say is harder to come by these days: a young person who wants to get involved in firefighting.

The Trump administration’s proposed budget bill would cut funding to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) by nearly 40%, including grants to universities. That could affect funding relied on by survey offices in several Mountain West states.

Plus there’s no guarantee the public would maintain access.

The updated bill targets Bureau of Land Management land near population centers. But hunters say these areas are important for recreation — and wildlife.

NPR Affiliate Public radio from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Your source for news and music.

The report comes as the Trump administration tries to “unleash” domestic energy supplies.