Earlier this month, the United States was on the verge of a nightmare scenario. Several Western wildfires were raging at once. …There wasn’t a single elite operations unit available. …In the era of climate change and forest mismanagement, it’s tempting to shrug one’s shoulders and presume that firefighter shortages are inevitable. But it doesn’t have to be this way. …Unlike urban firefighters, wildland firefighters are specially trained to take on the wildfires that plague the West. For years, those employed by the federal government have complained about profound levels of attrition driven by poor pay, increasingly exhausting working conditions and a lack of mental-health support. …But in August, the House and Senate approved budgets that make President Biden’s temporary increase permanent. Now would be a good time for Congress to pass a federal spending bill so it becomes a reality. [For full access to this story a NY Times subscription is required]