Who is authorized to incur expenses in cases of emergency in national forests?

The Secretary of Agriculture is the designated authority responsible for incurring expenses in emergency situations within national forests. This aligns with their role in overseeing the U.S. Forest Service and managing forest resources. The Secretary has the necessary oversight and regulatory power to respond to emergencies effectively, ensuring that resources are allocated swiftly to address urgent needs such as natural disasters, wildfires, or other unforeseen incidents that threaten the forests and public safety.

In contrast, while the President of the United States has overall executive authority, the day-to-day management of national forests is delegated to the Secretary of Agriculture. The Director of National Parks focuses specifically on national park systems rather than forest management, and the Chief of the Forest Service operates under the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture but does not have independent authority to authorize expenditures in emergencies. Therefore, the role of the Secretary of Agriculture is pivotal in this context, as they are the specific individual empowered to take decisive action during emergencies.