Wildland Firefighter Jobs: Where to Look and How to Land One

If you think you are hearing about alarming wildfires more often than ever before, you are correct. 2021 is already ahead of the pace of last year’s devastating fire season, and we are only in mid-July. The trend has been that of longer and hotter seasons, more states of emergency, and depleted crews.

The Congressional Research Service reported 2017 as a record year for wildfires, with 71,500 fires  — the highest number of occurrences since 1960 — consuming a total of 10,030,000 acres of land. Fewer wildfires were reported in 2020 (59,000), but those that did occur devoured even more acreage, with 10,120,000 acres destroyed. America’s wildlands are burning like never before, and someone must be there to protect communities and extinguish the flames.

Enter wildland firefighters. Specially trained to enter all manners of environment and contain, fight and/or manage the blaze, these firefighting ‘forest technicians’ must be some of the best. Here’s what it takes to obtain a wildland firefighter job, as well as the organizations that hire them. 

Wildland Firefighter Jobs: Pros and Cons

When considering any career, it’s a good idea to know the ups and downs of the industry. Here are some of the pros and cons of having a wildland firefighting job. 

Pros
  • Travel – While wildland fires are more prevalent in the dry terrains of the West, a blaze can occur anywhere timber, brush or grassland is ignited. Wildland firefighting is a job that often gets you around, so you can see all that different regions of the the country have to offer. 
  • Fitness – Being a firefighter of any sort requires top physical condition, and only the hardiest will thrive in this field. Fitness is expected for wildland firefighters, so getting your exercise will be part of the job. 
  • Requirements – Wildland firefighters become highly skilled specialists, but getting in the door may require as little as a high school diploma and a completed certification. Get your Incident Qualification Card (more commonly known as a Red Card) and a pack test, and you’ll be ready for the heat. 
  • Adventure – From rappelling out of helicopters (helitacking) and jumping out of planes (smokejumping) to handling explosives and driving off-road fire engines, many wildland firefighter opportunities require and encourage adrenaline. Battling wildfires is serious work, but those cut out for the job often thrive on the extreme nature of the work. 
Cons
  • Stress – While many enjoy the rush, the high-stress environment of wildland firefighting can certainly take its toll. Be prepared for a consistently stressful environment, and practice mental wellness when off duty to help you stay fresh and healthy. 
  • Strain – Just as the stress of the job can take its toll on the mind, physical strain can wear the body down. Carrying heavy equipment across rugged terrain can be exhausting and may easily result in injury, so fitness is a must to be a successful wildland firefighter. 
  • Season – Most wildfires occur between April and October, so consistent year-round work is not a guarantee. Some wildland firefighters do work full time, but many more work seasonally, supplementing their incomes with other work throughout the year. 
  • Danger – There’s no getting around it: Wildland firefighting is more dangerous than the average job. These heroes are the first line of defense against thousands of acres of blazing forest, and such dangerous work must be performed with the utmost attention to safety, always following the lead of your superiors. 

Now that you have an inventory of wildland firefighter pros and cons, you can safely ask yourself whether this is the career for you.

 

Wildland Firefighter Job Requirements

Because wildland firefighting is such an intense job, some training is required. Federal, state, and some local authorities all hire wildland firefighters, so requirements vary depending on the organization to which you apply. That said, the basic wildland firefighter job requirements can be broken down into three categories: physical, educational, and legal. 

Physical

All wildland firefighting training programs require a physical exam to measure an applicant’s stamina and strength. In addition to basic health requirements, candidates must carry a roughly 50-pound pack of equipment across 3 miles in under 45 minutes. Sound easy? Give it a try! The pack test has humbled many a weightlifter.

Educational 

Most wildland firefighting jobs only require a high school diploma to enter, but your training won’t end there. Recruits are instructed in three classes: survival training, fire behavior, and incident command. Other topics include ground cover fire training, fire shelter training, and more. After completion of all coursework, a written exam is given to assess mechanical reasoning, spatial awareness, and ability to perform under stress. 

If you wish to stand out from the crowd, you may do so by furthering your education. Common ways to do this are by obtaining your emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic’s license, or by going to school for a fire-related field. A few examples include: 

  • Conservation
  • Soil science
  • Wildlife management
  • Ecology
  • Forestry

An especially useful degree to pursue is fire science, as this can help you advance your career later on. 

Legal

Besides physical and educational requirements, those seeking a wildland firefighting job must meet several legal criteria. These criteria will vary by organization, but a few basic legal requirements are that you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Have a valid driver’s license
  • Have a high school diploma

Criminal records or DUIs are not automatic disqualifiers for every organization, but they are taken into consideration. Practice exemplary character on and off the job to boost your chances, and be aware that drug testing is a possibility as well. 

 

Wildland Firefighter Jobs: Where To Apply

Local, state, and federal authorities all offer wildland firefighter jobs. While there’s a large number of organizations hiring, the trick is knowing where to look, and when. Some common entities offering wildland firefighter jobs are: 

These are just a few places to look when searching for a wildland firefighting career, so be sure to use websites like USAJobs, state employment sites, and other networking sources to find opportunities for you. 

Final Thoughts

Do you have a passion for saving America’s wildlife and putting out fires? Wildland firefighters are courageous men and women who save our nation’s communities and resources from devastating burns each year — and thousands of lives and homes along with it. The physical training is rigorous, the conditions are stressful, and the job is more dangerous than most, but if you are up for the challenge, you may enjoy a specialized, high-octane career that will show you all that the land has to offer. Educational requirements begin with a high school diploma, but if you wish to distinguish yourself, you can do so with EMT courses and fire-related degrees…and some on-the-job training with your local volunteer unit doesn’t hurt. 

One of the drawbacks of being a wildland firefighter is the lack of consistent work outside fire season. We recognize that at Hidrent, and we’re here to help. Our networking services connect firefighters in need of extra work with people searching for the type of handyman help that these trustworthy responders are perfectly suited to provide. Whether you’re a firefighter looking to earn some extra cash when the forests aren’t burning, or someone in need of help around the house or the business, contact us today, and we’ll provide the connection.