Oklahoma’s top forestry, wildfire management post remains vacant over a year later

OKLAHOMA CITY – More than a year after Gov. Kevin Stitt fired the state’s forestry director, the post remains vacant.

The agency continues to search for a new director, said Bryce Boyer, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. His agency is conducting the search.

The director is responsible for the planning and development of state forestry programs and serves as the primary point of contact for wildfire management activities in the state.

Boyer said they’ve had some applications and conducted some interviews for the job.

In February, Agriculture Secretary Blayne Arthur said at a press conference that after a nationwide search, they had offered the position to someone, but he declined to accept because his wife didn’t want to move.

“I’d argue maybe we don’t need one,” Stitt said at the same press conference that highlighted wildfire risks due to drought and winds. 

Stitt said at the time that leaving the position vacant has saved Oklahoma taxpayers money.

Following historic wildfires in the spring of 2025 that consumed over 170,000 acres, including the governor’s ranch, Stitt fired Mark Goeller, who had served as state forester and director since 2018. 

Stitt said after the fires, he could not get information from the agency and wasn’t pleased how the fires were handled. He also initially called for the Forestry Service to be abolished, but later reversed course.

Goeller denied wrongdoing. 

Goeller had served Oklahoma Forestry Services for about four decades. 

His termination drew criticism from the firefighting community and others.

Goeller now serves as vice president of fire programs with the National Association of State Foresters. He began that job in August 2025.

He had no comment on the state’s continued search.

The job listing on the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry website indicates it pays up to $112,459, based on education and experience.

The qualifications include a bachelor’s in agriculture, forestry, biological sciences, physical sciences or a related field, three years experience in agriculture inspection, regulation, or production, forestry or plant industries, and seven years supervisory experience.