In the heated aftermath of devastating wildfires in Oklahoma, Rep. Justin Humphrey has taken a prominent stance in defense of ousted Forestry Director Mark Goeller. According to a statement obtained by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Humphrey, vice chair of the House Public Safety Committee, has urged Governor Kevin Stitt to reappoint Goeller, arguing that his dismissal was an unwarranted reaction to the fires that have caused extensive damages beginning March 14.
Rep. Humphrey expressed his disbelief over the governor’s critique of the Oklahoma Forestry Services, stating, "I listened in total shock as the governor publicly insulted the men and women of the Oklahoma forestry division and spoke about firing the director," per the same Oklahoma House release. He underscored Goeller's nationwide recognition for fire management expertise and challenged the rationale of attributing the wildfires' severity to the director’s leadership. The blazes, which the lawmaker described as a "catastrophic tragedy," resulted in four fatalities, upwards of 200 injuries, and the ruin of more than 400 homes and structures.
Fiscal concerns are also at the forefront of Humphrey's critique, with the representative scrutinizing the governor's budgetary claims about the Forestry Division's allotment. Despite the governor's suggestion of a $75 million budget with intentions to redirect $50 million to local fire departments, the entire Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry was allocated just under $73.5 million for the current fiscal year, with only $24.4 million earmarked for forestry, including $11.7 million in rural firefighter grants as detailed in the Oklahoma House announcement.
Amid his call for Goeller's reinstatement, Rep. Humphrey has highlighted the division's involvement in community efforts, including nearly $9.3 million generated from brush control and fire management services for federal recreational areas, indeed, that the division's budget is composed of approximately 55% appropriations and 45% from provided services. He shared his personal observation of the division's commitment to public safety within his southeast Oklahoma district, promoting an increased budget for improved employee compensation and equipment, "I'm asking the governor to please not create more government by initiating another worthless task force comprised of a group of uninformed political cohorts," stated Humphrey in the materials provided by the Oklahoma House, "He acted hastily and he was wrong." Humphrey asserts that Governor Stitt, by admitting the error and restoring Goeller, has an opportunity to rectify the situation.
