How To Get Hired In Wildland Fire (2026 Guide)

🔥 Beginner Guide — Start Here

Every season people ask:

• How do I get hired?
• What certs do I need?
• Do I need them before applying?
• Where do I apply?
• What’s the best rookie path?

This is a simple, no-BS starting guide for federal, state, and contractor wildland fire jobs.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This isn’t absolute — hiring changes by agency and season. Use this as a general roadmap.

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🟩 CERTIFICATIONS — WHAT YOU ACTUALLY NEED

Minimum entry-level (FFT2 / Type 2):

• S-130 — Firefighter Training
• S-190 — Fire Behavior
• L-180 — Human Factors
• ICS-100 — Incident Command
• ICS-700 — NIMS

🔥 Red Card:
Earned after courses + Pack Test
(3 miles • 45 lbs • under 45 min)

❗ DO YOU NEED CERTS BEFORE APPLYING?
No.

Most rookies get hired with zero certs.
Agencies usually train you after hiring.

BUT:
Doing online courses early helps you stand out.

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🟧 FREE ONLINE TRAINING OPTIONS

NWCG Learning Portal
https://www.wildlandfirelearningportal.net

FEMA ICS Courses

ICS-100

ICS-700

Common rookie strategy:

✅ ICS-100 + ICS-700 (FEMA)
✅ S-190 online
✅ L-180 online
➡️ Finish S-130 hands-on once hired

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🟦 WHERE TO APPLY

🔥 FEDERAL (USFS • BLM • NPS • BIA • FWS)

👉 USAJOBS.gov

Search:
• Forestry Technician (Wildland Firefighter)
• Forestry Aid
• Engine Crew / Handcrew / Hotshot

Entry level:
GS-3 / GW-3

Some experience or college?
Apply GS-4 too.

🌲 STATE AGENCIES

Examples:
CAL FIRE • WA DNR • ODF • AZ DFFM
MT DNRC • CO DFPC

Search:
“[Your State] wildland fire seasonal jobs”

🚒 CONTRACTORS

Type 2 crews & engines hire rookies often.

Search:
“Wildland fire contractor” + your state

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📅 WHEN AGENCIES HIRE (ROUGH TIMELINE)

🔥 USFS
AUG — outreach + first openings
AUG–SEPT — biggest hiring wave
OCT–NOV — second wave
DEC–APR — late hires

🏛️ OTHER FEDERAL
SEPT–DEC main postings
JAN–APR additional hiring

🌲 STATE AGENCIES
Usually OCT–MARCH

🚒 CONTRACT CREWS
DEC–MAY (most flexible)

👉 Start checking in AUGUST.
Most rookies miss this window.

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🟨 CALL CREWS — THIS IS HUGE

Applying online isn’t enough.

After applying:
📞 Call the crews you want.

Say:
• You applied
• You’re interested
• Ask questions

Why it matters:
Supervisors remember names and write them down.
When they see your application later, you’re not a stranger.

Tips:
• Keep calls short & respectful
• Call more than once during hiring
• Ask about PT, culture, expectations
• Show consistent interest

Many rookies get hired because they stayed proactive.

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🟦 HOW COMPETITIVE IS IT?

Hotshots — very competitive
Smokejumpers — 3+ seasons usually
Rappel — 2–3 seasons
Helitack — often 1+ season first

Best rookie paths:
✅ Engines
✅ State crews
✅ Type 2 handcrews

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🟥 FITNESS EXPECTATIONS

You don’t need to be elite.
But you MUST be prepared for:

• Steep hiking
• Heat & long shifts
• Carrying tools
• 16-hour days

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🔥 MINIMUM BENCHMARKS (READY TO PASS TRAINING)

Pack Hike — 3 miles, 45 lbs under 45 min
1.5 Mile Run — 12–14 min
Push-ups — 25–35 nonstop (one minute)
Plank — 1:30–2:00
Pull-ups — 3–5 strict reps
Air Squats — 40+ good reps

These numbers mean you’ll survive rookie PT — not dominate it.

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🟩 WELL-PREPARED BENCHMARKS (STRONG ROOKIE SHAPE)

Pack Hike — 3 miles, 45 lbs in 38–42 min
1.5 Mile Run — 9:30–11:00
Push-ups — 45–60+ nonstop (one minute)
Plank — 3:00+
Pull-ups — 8–12 strict reps
Air Squats — 75+ controlled reps

Hitting these numbers usually means:

✔️ PT won’t crush you
✔️ Long hikes feel manageable
✔️ You recover faster on roll

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Train now. Your season will be WAY easier.

Here is the NIFC fitness challenge link. 

Here is the scoring sheet link. 

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🟧 WHAT TO DO RIGHT NOW (SIMPLE PLAN)

✅ Make a USAJobs account
Set alerts for “Forestry Technician”

✅ Apply widely
Don’t bet on one crew.

✅ Take free online courses
ICS-100 • ICS-700 • S-190 • L-180

✅ Start hiking with weight

✅ Build a clean wildland resume
Highlight physical or outdoor work.

✅ CALL CREWS
Seriously — this helps more than people think.

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🟦 QUICK FAQ

Do I need certs before applying?
❌ No.

Do I need the Pack Test first?
❌ No.

Can I get hired with no experience?
✅ Yes — happens every year.

Can I start mid-season?
✅ Sometimes.

Best rookie job?
✅ Engine • State • Type 2 handcrew.

Apply to multiple locations?
✅ Absolutely.

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