Oklahoma Forestry Director Position Remains Vacant More Than 15 Months After Wildfires

Oklahoma Forestry Director Position Remains Vacant More Than 15 Months After Wildfires

The search for a new Oklahoma forestry director continues more than 15 months after Governor Kevin Stitt dismissed former State Forester Mark Goeller following Oklahoma's historic 2025 wildfire outbreak. The prolonged vacancy has renewed questions about the future leadership of Oklahoma Forestry Services as state officials continue recruiting a qualified candidate to oversee wildfire prevention, suppression, and forestry management.

The position, which leads the state's wildfire response efforts, remains one of Oklahoma's highest-profile unfilled leadership roles as the state continues to face elevated wildfire risks.

Oklahoma Forestry Director Vacancy Follows Historic Wildfire Season

The Oklahoma forestry director position became vacant in March 2025 after Governor Kevin Stitt fired Mark Goeller, who had spent more than 40 years with Oklahoma Forestry Services and served as state forester since 2018.

The dismissal came just weeks after devastating wildfires burned more than 170,000 acres across Oklahoma, including land on the governor's own ranch.

Following the fires, Stitt criticized the agency's response, saying available firefighting resources were not fully deployed quickly enough to assist communities impacted by the fast-moving blazes.

Goeller publicly defended the agency's actions, maintaining that firefighters worked tirelessly under dangerous conditions to protect lives and property throughout the emergency.

His dismissal drew criticism from members of Oklahoma's firefighting community, including the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, which praised Goeller's decades of service. Since leaving Oklahoma Forestry Services, Goeller has accepted a national leadership role with the National Association of State Foresters.

More information about Oklahoma Forestry Services is available through the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

Governor And Lawmakers Continue Debate Over Forestry Leadership

The vacant Oklahoma forestry director position has become part of a broader discussion about how Oklahoma should manage wildfire response and forestry operations.

Following Goeller's dismissal, Governor Stitt suggested eliminating Oklahoma Forestry Services, saying the agency's budget could instead be directed toward local rural fire departments. The proposal generated bipartisan concern at the Capitol, and lawmakers ultimately continued funding the agency.

Earlier this year, Stitt also questioned whether the state needed to immediately fill the position, saying the vacancy had produced cost savings for taxpayers.

Meanwhile, some lawmakers have expressed concerns about staffing levels within the agency, noting that Oklahoma Forestry Services relies on approximately 130 employees, many of whom serve as wildland firefighters responding to fires across the state.

Additional information about Oklahoma state agencies is available through the State of Oklahoma.

Nationwide Search Continues For Permanent Replacement

Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry say the search for a permanent Oklahoma forestry director remains active.

According to Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, the agency conducted a nationwide recruitment effort and identified a preferred candidate. However, that individual ultimately declined the position because their family did not want to relocate to Oklahoma.

The position remains posted on the state's employment website with a salary of up to $112,459 annually.

Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree in forestry, agriculture, or a related field, along with at least 10 years of agricultural inspection and supervisory experience, making the position highly specialized.

As Oklahoma enters another active wildfire season, the state's forestry division continues operating under existing leadership while officials work to fill one of the agency's most important positions.

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