Hotshots/smokejumpers

[Will_m]

Anybody on here made a career of wildland firefighting? Pros/cons? What’s the career trajectory like (if any)?

Other than super exciting highlight reels on YouTube and some postings on usajobs, the Google machine is surprisingly void of detailed information.

Not necessarily looking for anything in particular, I just recently found out about this career and thought it would be interesting to hear some first hand experiences from people in the know.

 

[Braaap]

I’m a municipal firefighter, never been a hotshot or smokejumper, but many of my coworkers were and they all seem to have loved it. But they are now municipal firefighters for several reasons, including better schedule, pay, benefits, and less wear and tear on their bodies. It’s easier to raise a family as a municipal firefighter. Hotshot/smokejumper is great experience and highly valued at many municipal departments. If it interests you go for it!

 

[Warmsy]

I tried getting a job doing that a few years ago. Cal fire told me it's pretty competitive, with most of the guys having a degree and a career in our around firefighting.

 

[Elnicko]

As a former hotshot and current municipal firefighter, I agree with what Braaap said. It was tons of fun when I was in my early twenties but I personally wouldn’t make a career out of it. Ultimately you’re the only one who can make a decision if it’s the right career for you. Try working a couple seasons and see if it’s for you. You’re not gonna have a bad time while you’re there. Good luck!

 

[BigDog00]

I wasn't a hotshot but worked on a hand crew for a couple seasons in college. It was the best job I've ever had...it was also one of the least paying jobs I've ever had. With that said, I was looking at going the hotshot route but a better opportunity fell in my lap and I took it instead.

I agree that you should give it a shot for a couple seasons to see how you like it. You need to apply now though to get your foot in the door for next season. I think I saw the Wyoming Hotshot were advertising some open positions.

 

[RSC12]

I live in Canada so my perspective might not be quite as useful to you. Our smoke jumping program is quite a bit smaller then that of the US and our fire seasons are usually shorter so its a bit harder to make a living as a full-time Wildland FF.

I was a Wildland firefighter (Helitack) for 9 seasons and the last 4 of those were as a Smokejumper. It was by far the most exciting and fun job I ever had. There is no better way to get to work then by chucking yourself out the door It is also one of the best communities to be a part of. The camaraderie is unbelievable, and I even had a few opportunities to work with some unbelievable crews from the states.

It can be some of the hardest work you'll ever do at some points and some of the longest days sitting in the rain or back at base waiting for something to happen. You get to see some of the most beautiful country out there and I got to travel all over BC and other parts of Canada. Often to places that likely never saw another person.

Personally I was able to fund my way through university by working the best summer job going, and after school I stayed on for extended seasons to actually make a bit more money and travel the world in the off-season.

With all that said, I eventually made the choice to move into Structural firefighting. I got tired of never having a summer to do anything personal, of never knowing when you were going to leave/come home, of not knowing what the summer was going to do and if you were going to make enough money. And at least in Canada in order to move into positions that actually can work as a full-time career you usually end up moving further away from the fire line and more to behind a desk.

I now work in what I would consider the best career choice going. I've been a structural FF for the last 13yrs and I still absolutely love going to work everyday. I still miss my days as a smokejumper but the career side has made it easier to have a family, to afford a home, have better benefits and a work/family life with summer holidays and more. Not to mention I no longer work during the early hunting seasons

I'm not sure if that helps at all but there it is. I say if you are in a position to try it then go for it. I don't know anyone who has ever regretted it. If there's anything else I can help you with feel free to send me a message. And good luck with whatever route you choose to go.

 

[AZ8]

I was on a fire crew back in the 80’s. Like others have said, it was the best job I ever had. I regret not staying in it and moving up the career ladder.

Its definitely a young man’s job! Hardest job but the most rewarding. Not sure if it’s still the same, but there was a ton of government bureaucracy you gotta deal with. haha

Just wish we had cell phones back then. So many lost memory opportunities. Using the 35mm camera was a PIA and I lost a ton of pics because of film degradation.

Good luck!

 

[timmymac24]

brings to mind Norman Maclean and his book Young Men and Fire, great read if you like to read about smokejumpers in MT

 

[Wellsdw]

Same as most here. Worked a handcrew a while before taking a structual job. Structural firefighting is hard enough on the body, as well as being away from home. I couldn’t imagine how tough it is as a career hotshot would be

 

[Bighorner]

I've been away from wildland for a while now, but look at getting on an engine crew or a type 2 crew first. Typically you will not get on a shot crew without experience and certainly not as a smoke jumper. There are also helittack crews. Like everyone has said, it is a great job and great comradory. It is also for a young man's body and it's hard on family life in the summer. Good luck.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Just like some others here, I spent several years on a crew but never made it my full time job, just seasonal. I have several friends who stuck with it and are doing quite well and have pretty cool jobs in wildland fire now. Not sticking with it is one of the few regrets I have in life, those friends of mine make me very jelous with their careers.

 

[mmac]

I did it for several years and agree with most above.

However, I will say times are changing and I wouldn't be surprised to see a change in the entire fire response system. There is a lot of discussion about seasonal roles being full time and in the off season supporting other states and more mitigation efforts. The whole intent of this being to move it to a model that is more career based .

 

[.204smokechaser]

Well we got a pay raise up to 20k with the infrastructure bill that Biden just signed and will now be “wildland firefighters” instead of forestry techs, but with the inflation issue, that won’t be much at all but at least the PSEs on the lower todemn pole will make more than beginner people working at chick fil-a

Pros:have new hunting and fishing buddies, work in some cool areas (apply to cool areas that is), scout on the clock, light shit on fire.

Cons: too damn many. If you want to do fire for a career be on a Wildland engine or type 2 IA crew or a season, be a shot for a season or 2, go jump for a year, than go to structure. After 9 seasons working for the circus, I’m starting to do hard research and find a career where it’s more likely to have a woman stick around with you and make it easier for potential kids in the future. Not too mention having to look for work in the winter unless you work in R8 and R5 as they’re year round.

 

[BrooksRanger]

None of my friends who were AK Smoke Jumpers are still doing it. They are still in the wild land firefighting scene, but most moved out of jumping positions to more stable, and less physically demanding fire jobs. It was definitely a good times in your twenties and early thirties thing for most of them. Don't even get me started on the relationship aspect...However, if you've got the itch then scratch it and see if you've got the stuff. I hope you're a PT Stud though, those guys (and a few gals) are specimens.

 

[JFK]

Work at a city dept in Ca and have some coworkers who were hotshots. All of them say it was a blast ….all of them say they are glad they don’t do it anymore. If you are interested, give it a try for a season.