Wildland Firefighting
OVERVIEW
Wildland firefighters can take many different routes with their
careers and work with a variety of different agencies. The tactics
involved in putting out a wildfire are different from those of a
structural fire. Oftentimes the fire is in a remote area, meaning that the resources may have to hike to the location of the fire before suppression efforts begin. Water is not a given as it is on wildfire, sometimes all you have is your tool. Resources assigned to a fire could be as few as a singular engine or 20 person hand crew, or for bigger fires, there may be hundreds of personnel, including hand crews, engines, hotshots, smokejumpers, rappellers, heavy equipment, helicopters, etc.
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The job of a wildland firefighter is not always fire suppression. Prescribed burning is done in an effort to prevent future fires as well as for ecological reasons and is done by strategically burning off areas. Prescribed burns are done at times when fire danger is not as high, and when you have the resources to control the outcome. Other forms of fire prevention include public outreach and education, and other forms of undergrowth removal and thinning.
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Most wildland fire jobs are for the length of fire season, typically May through late October. Positions can be through a federal agency, state agency, or private/contract company. This site will talk mostly about wildland fire in the federal and state agencies, and the nuances of applying for a federal agency position through USA jobs.
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While working on a fire can be incredibly hard work, you learn a lot, and it can be quite fun. The sense of camaraderie of working as part of a team is also something that draws a lot of people in.
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The fact that fire season occurs over the summer makes it a great job to have when on summer break during school. Most employers will accommodate the fact that students might need to go back to school before the season ends, as long as you discuss this with them ahead of time. It is a great way to stay busy over the summer, make some money, start your career, explore a new career, and/or gain valuable skills that will help you no matter what career you pick.
​Each application and selection process looks different so be sure to pay extra attention to what the requirements are!
Wildland positions are available through Federal, Nonfederal, & Private sectors
wildland positions
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Engine crew
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Hand crew
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Fuels crews
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Helitak crews
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Fire equipment/dozer operators
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Hotshot crew
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Smokejumper, rappeler
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Dispatcher
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Fire lookout
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Fuels Management
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Fire Planning, Analysis, and Ecology Positions
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Aviation
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Fire Prevention Specialist
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Dispatcher
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Incident Business Management
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Fire Training
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Warehouse/cache postions
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Fire Program Managers
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Job Description
If you work for a federal agency or state agency you can expect hours for the duration of the whole fire season. If you work on a contract crew, you only work when on a fire assignment. The day-to-day no matter where you work differs greatly. If you work for the forest service and are not on a fire, your duties may include, but are not limited to:
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Cleaning and prepping gear
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Working on fuels reduction projects, which include
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Thinning undergrowth
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Prepping units to burn in the fall
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Burning units off in early or late season
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Patrolling
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Posting up at a high point to be a lookout if there is a lighting event.
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If you are not on a fire your day is also likely to include PT(physical training) which could take on a variety of different forms.
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A ‘roll’ is the term used to describe a fire assignment, which can be 14-21 days long. Expect to work 12-16 hour days when on a fire. Your day-to-day while on assignment will vary based on the size of the fire, the number of resources available, the location of the fire, the weather, as well as where fire suppression efforts are at. Hiking in remote areas, carrying a 25+lbs pack, a hand tool, and other gear is to be expected particularly if you are on a hand crew.
Assignments on a fire include, but are not limited to:
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Digging a handline (a line that digs down to the mineral soil in order to remove fuel from the path of the fire to prevent it from spreading)
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Using chainsaws to create a fuel break
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‘Prepping roads’ which means removing lighter to moderate fuels from the fire-side of a road within a certain distance (typically 20-30 feet) to help improve the roads ability to be the stop of the fire spread and to prevent the fire from jumping the road. This is typically done via chainsaw or heavy equipment.
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Using drip torches to burn off a fire line or road
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Holding a line (monitoring the fire line to make sure the approaching fire does not spread)
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Gridding burned and unburned areas to look for spot fires, hotspots, and smokes: walking in a line lacrosse terrain looking for fire outside the containment line, or walking along the edge of the fire and putting out areas that are still smoldering
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Working with helicopters to perform water drops and sling loads of incoming supplies,
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Collecting hourly weather
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Setting up hose lays
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Operating water pumps
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Using hoses and or backpack pumps to extinguish the fire with water.
When on a roll, you will frequently eat, sleep, go to the bathroom, and work outside. If you are working on a larger fire, showers may be available but are not always a guarantee. If you like being outside, and you don’t mind getting dirty, definitely consider working as a wildland firefighter.
Job Requirements
To be eligible to fight fire you must have a certification known as your red card, or Firefighter 2 (FFT2). Hiring processes and standards will also vary between agencies, state forestry departments, and contract crews, so keep that in mind if you are applying for a variety of positions.