How to Become a
Wildland Firefighter
Fighting fire on the front lines of America's forests, grasslands, and wildlands — from seasonal crews to elite hotshot and smokejumper teams
Wildland Firefighter Statistics — 2024 Data
What Does a Wildland Firefighter Do?
Wildland firefighters suppress and manage fires in forests, grasslands, prairies, and other natural environments across the United States. Unlike structural firefighters who primarily respond to building fires, wildland firefighters operate in remote, rugged terrain — often for days or weeks at a time — using specialized tactics like fireline construction, controlled burns, and aerial suppression.
- Fireline Construction: Cutting firebreaks with hand tools (Pulaskis, McLeods) and chainsaws to stop fire spread
- Prescribed Fire: Planning and executing controlled burns to reduce fuel loads and restore ecosystems
- Initial Attack: Rapid response to new fire starts using engines, helicopters, or parachute deployment (smokejumpers)
- Mop-Up & Patrol: Extinguishing hotspots, monitoring fire perimeters, and preventing rekindling after containment
- Helitack Operations: Deploying via helicopter to remote fires for rapid initial attack and suppression
- Structure Protection: Defending homes and infrastructure in the wildland-urban interface (WUI)
Wildland firefighters work for federal agencies including the USDA Forest Service, BLM, NPS, USFWS, and BIA, as well as state forestry agencies and private contract crews. In some incidents, wildland firefighters encounter hazardous materials from burned structures or chemical spills in remote areas. Many begin as seasonal employees during fire season (typically May through October) before converting to permanent career positions.
Types of Wildland Firefighters
Engine Crews
Operate wildland fire engines (Type 3–7) to suppress fires along roads and accessible terrain. Crews of 3–5 members. Best entry point for beginners. Federal pay: GS-3 to GS-5.
Hand Crews
20-person teams that construct fireline by hand in steep, remote terrain. Physically demanding work cutting line with Pulaskis and chainsaws. Federal pay: GS-3 to GS-5.
Hotshot Crews
Elite 20-person IHC teams deployed to the most challenging assignments. Highest physical standards, extensive travel, 16+ hour shifts. Federal pay: GS-4 to GS-6. Nationally, about 115 hotshot crews operate.
Smokejumpers
Parachute into remote areas to attack fires before they grow. About 400 smokejumpers across 9 bases nationwide. Extremely selective — requires prior wildland experience. Federal pay: GS-5 to GS-7.
Helitack Crews
Deploy via helicopter for initial attack on remote fires. Rappel or land in clearings, then suppress fire with hand tools and portable pumps. Federal pay: GS-4 to GS-6.
Prescribed Fire / Fuels
Specialize in planning and conducting controlled burns to reduce hazardous fuel loads. Year-round positions available. Growing field due to increased emphasis on fuels management. Federal pay: GS-5 to GS-9.
Requirements to Become a Wildland Firefighter
Basic Qualifications
- • U.S. citizen, 18 years of age or older
- • Valid state driver's license
- • High school diploma or GED
- • Pass background check and drug screening
Physical Fitness
- • Work Capacity Test (Pack Test): Hike 3 miles carrying 45 lbs in 45 minutes
- • Field Test (moderate): 2 miles, 25 lbs, 30 minutes
- • Must maintain fitness throughout the season
- • Hotshots/smokejumpers have additional fitness standards
Training & Certification
- • S-130 — Firefighter Training
- • S-190 — Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior
- • L-180 — Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service
- • IS-700 — NIMS Introduction
- • Red Card (Incident Qualification Card) upon completion
Preferred Skills
- • Chainsaw operation and crosscut saw use
- • Map reading and land navigation
- • First aid / Wilderness First Responder / EMT certification
- • Experience hiking and working in mountainous terrain
Career Path in Wildland Firefighting
Seasonal Firefighter (GS-3 to GS-4) (Years 1–3)
Apply through USAJobs during the winter hiring window (typically December–February). Complete S-130/S-190 training, earn your Red Card, and deploy to your first fire season on an engine crew or hand crew. Gain experience with fireline construction, pump operations, and fire behavior. Most positions run May through October.
Senior Firefighter / Squad Boss (GS-5) (Years 3–5)
Lead a small squad of 3–5 firefighters within a crew. Complete S-290 (Intermediate Fire Behavior) and begin task book for Squad Boss (FFT1). Apply for hotshot crew, helitack, or smokejumper positions to advance skills. Pursue permanent seasonal or career-conditional status.
Crew Boss / Engine Captain (GS-6 to GS-7) (Years 5–8)
Command a 20-person hand crew or wildland engine. Complete S-230 (Crew Boss) and S-231 (Engine Boss) courses. Responsible for crew safety, tactics, and logistics in the field. Begin ICT4 qualification to lead initial-attack incidents.
Assistant Superintendent / Captain (GS-7 to GS-8) (Years 8–12)
Serve as second-in-command of a hotshot crew, helitack module, or fire management unit. Oversee training programs, qualifications, and crew readiness. Qualify as DIVS or STLC on incident management teams. Consider a degree in forestry, fire science, or natural resource management.
Battalion Chief / FMO (GS-9 to GS-11) (Years 12–18)
Manage fire operations for a district, forest, or national park. Oversee multiple crews, develop fire management plans, coordinate prescribed fire programs, and serve on IMT in leadership roles such as Operations Section Chief. Budget authority for fire and fuels programs.
Division Chief / Agency Fire Director (GS-12 to GS-14) (Years 18+)
Lead fire management at the regional or national level. Set policy, allocate resources across multiple forests or land units, and coordinate interagency responses to major fire complexes. Top positions include Regional Fire Director and National Fire Director roles within the Forest Service or DOI.
Wildland Firefighter Salary & Pay
Federal Pay Grades (2024 Base Salary + Locality)
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 33-2011, May 2024; OPM GS Pay Tables
Pay Enhancements & Overtime
Note: The 2021 Infrastructure Act provided a temporary base pay supplement of $20,000 or 50% of base pay (whichever is less) for federal wildland firefighters
Federal Benefits (Permanent Employees)
- FEHB health insurance
- FERS retirement with enhanced annuity (6(c) coverage)
- TSP with agency match up to 5%
- Annual and sick leave accrual
- Workers' compensation for on-the-job injuries
- Early retirement eligibility at age 50 with 20 years
Fire Season & Deployment Life
Wildland firefighting is unlike any other career in emergency services. Deployments can last 14–21 days with only 2–3 days off before the next assignment. Understanding the lifestyle is essential before committing:
Fire Season Timeline
- • Southwest: April – July
- • Pacific Northwest: June – October
- • Northern Rockies: July – September
- • California: May – November (extending year-round)
- • Southeast: January – May (prescribed fire season)
Camp Life on Deployment
- • 12–16 hour shifts on the fireline
- • Sleeping in tents or on the ground (spike camps)
- • MREs and catered fire camp meals
- • Limited cell service and isolation
- • Extensive travel across multiple states
The dispatch system operates through the NICC in Boise, Idaho, which allocates resources nationwide based on fire activity and PL levels. During peak season (PL 4–5), crews may be reassigned across the country, traveling from Alaska to Florida to fight fire wherever the need is greatest.
Challenges of Wildland Firefighting
Wildland firefighting is one of the most physically and mentally demanding careers in public service. Understanding these realities is critical before pursuing this path:
Physical Toll
Hiking steep terrain with 45+ lbs of gear for 12–16 hours. Chronic knee, back, and shoulder injuries are common after multiple seasons.
Seasonal Employment
Many positions last only 6 months. Off-season unemployment, no benefits for temporary workers, and difficulty planning long-term finances.
Smoke Exposure
Prolonged wildfire smoke inhalation linked to respiratory disease, cardiovascular issues, and increased cancer risk. Particulate exposure exceeds safety limits regularly.
Climate Change Impact
Fire seasons are growing longer and more intense. Mega-fires exceeding 100,000 acres are increasingly common, stretching crews to their limits.
Mental Health
Witnessing destruction, line-of-duty deaths, extended separation from family, and the cumulative stress of repeated deployments take a heavy toll.
Retention Crisis
Federal agencies face significant turnover due to low base pay, housing costs near duty stations, and burnout. Congressional pay reforms remain ongoing.
Despite these challenges, wildland firefighters consistently describe their work as deeply meaningful. The camaraderie forged on the fireline, the opportunity to protect wild places, and the unmatched adventure of the job keep many coming back season after season — and building lifelong careers.
Hiring Agencies & How to Apply
USDA Forest Service
Largest wildland fire workforce. Manages 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands. Apply via USAJobs (search “Forestry Technician (Fire)”).
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Manages 245 million acres of public land, primarily in the western U.S. Large engine and hand crew programs. Apply via USAJobs.
National Park Service (NPS)
Fire management programs in national parks and monuments. Strong prescribed fire and fuels management programs. Apply via USAJobs.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Manages fire on national wildlife refuges. Emphasis on prescribed fire for habitat management. Apply via USAJobs.
State Forestry Agencies
CAL FIRE (California), ODF (Oregon), DNR (Washington), and others. State agencies often have their own hiring processes and may offer year-round positions. Check individual state forestry websites.
Application tip: Federal wildland fire positions open on USAJobs in a short window, typically December through February. Create your USAJobs profile early, complete the Outreach & Recruitment questionnaire, and apply broadly to multiple locations and agencies to maximize your chances of selection.
Sources & References
- • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 33-2011, May 2024
- • NIFC — National Wildfire Statistics, 2024
- • USDA Forest Service — Wildland Fire Careers and Employment
- • NWCG — Wildland Fire Qualification System (PMS 310-1)
- • Office of Personnel Management (OPM) — General Schedule Pay Tables, 2024
- • U.S. Department of the Interior — Wildland Fire Management
- • Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021) — Wildland Firefighter Pay Provisions
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