Just weeks after devastating fires ravaged Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt revealed the man in charge of the state’s forest management is out of a job.
Mark Goeller has roughly 40 years of forestry experience and has worked as Oklahoma’s State Forester since 2018.
Stitt panned the agency’s response to the wildfires that raged across the state in mid-March, burning more than 170,000 acres, killing four, injuring hundreds and destroying more than 400 homes, including one owned by the governor near Luther.
At a Wednesday press conference, the governor was asked why Goeller would no longer work in his role.
“He’s the head of the forestry department, and we had a horrible, horrible wildfire in the State of Oklahoma, and I didn’t think they did a really good job,” Stitt said in response.
It’s unclear what part of the wildfire response Stitt did not like.
Goeller’s professional biography includes membership in several professional organizations. He testified before a Congressional panel chaired by Congressman Frank Lucas about enhancing fire weather prediction and coordination in 2023.
A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry says Goeller is officially resigning effective Monday.
Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur praised Goeller in a written statement.
“Mark Goeller has been a dedicated public servant for over 40 years. His commitment and leadership in wildland fire response in our state and to Oklahoma’s forestry industry is greatly appreciated, and I wish him the very best in the future," she said.
Anna Pope contributed to this report.
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