The Wild Land

During #FireYear2021, the Bureau of Land Management - Colorado Craig Interagency Hotshot Crew was joined on a two-week assignment by a Bureau of Land Management Fire program contract videographer, Matt Irving. Matt was able to capture the crew while assigned to incidents in California and Montana.

[NDEfireONE]

I been at it for 23 seasons, Started out as Helitak for 2 seasons which was a big commitment, 10hr days, 14dy work periods with your regular 2 day off. Until I got picked up by Geronimo Hotshots, that's when the fire life really took off for me. I haven't had a summer, Father's Day, B-day, summer with family since. I mean my brother, sisters, mom, dad were fire fighters. I'm the only one who made it to where I am today as a single resource, history in the making haha. I sometimes wish I stuck it out with the shot crew, I miss it when I see bros still with crew that are over heads and supts. Man hotshot life was the best and still is the best job I have ever done. Thank God for my family and for sticking it out with me with all the support. My son today is fallowing in my foot steps looking for a crew a place he can home. All I can say is that I am proud of him because I never pushed him into the fire world. I asked him one day why did he had decided to walk into the fire life? His response was all the cool stories, videos, photos of all the cool places you been while being outdoors. I just thought I'd share a bit of my side of my fire life story and history. Thank you guys brothers and sisters you guys are awesome stay safe hopefully I'll run into you guys somewhere out on the line 💪🏽🔥

[missingtooth]

THIS... This is what I want to do for my foreseeable future! All those times people asked me, "what do you want to do when you grow up?" and I responded with, "I dunno" . THIS is the hidden gem! I so badly want to join in

[chrisharris]

I absolutely loved being a Wildland FF and I miss it everyday! I was in the best shape of my life and it was an experience I’ll never forget. So thankful I was able to experience it!

[jg]

I was a wildland firefighter in the midwest so in the spring I was working everyday, even without active fire. Eventually my agency adopted 14 and 21 days to force a day off. Before then we would be on straight through. The rest of the year I was a part time conservation warden working weekends in addition to my full time job as a Forestry Technician. In the winter was the only time I wasn't working 6 or 7 days a week. I am a father of 3 who are getting college age. I didn't realize how much of their lives I had missed until I stopped that schedule about 5 years ago. I would suggest these schedules are for the young or single. You never get that time back.

[donshannon]

Great video, made me remember my 5 years on Hotshot crews. They need to get paid an honest wage for the risks they face and the sacrifices they make. Entry level is still roughly $15/hour (less than Starbucks pays), and even after 19 years in a federal fire career, Im still making less than a journeyman tradesperson. We all stick with it for different reasons, despite the low pay, but Im not sure the younger generation is going to enter this field of work when it pays so much less than other jobs, while demanding so much more.

[tedecker]

Some of the best fire stories I’ve heard were told the day after a huge fire when our type 1 team was at a mandatory “chill” day before going home. They know how wound up everyone is, and they let us decompress before our return to the normal world.

[lvtiguy]

I wish I could tell you all (every wild land firefighter) how grateful I am for what you all do and sacrifice. As a resident of the Southwest (NM and NV) for the past 24 years, I am in constant awe of your bravery and commitment. If I could cook every one of you an amazing meal, I would. Generations to come owe you a huge debt of thanks. Bless you all. Be safe and be well. ❤🙏

[robc.]

More peolple ought to watch this kind of stuff, Makes the common understand what the folks go thru, It isn't easy. To all the Hotshots, Thank you for what you do.

[CuttinChris]

Matt irving did a great job on this video. He captured alot of what fire is all about and the small nuisances we go through on a daily basis.

Great work Craig, we're all here for you.

[scottulrich]

Heroes every one. We had a horrible fire season in SW Montana a couple of years ago and fire crews came in from all over and were amazing.

[whiteboy]

Salute to my brothers & sisters out there on the fireline i started my first fire season only at 18 sadly i was an in a prison fire camp none the less we worked our butt off & mostly went through the bs parts for less than $1 an hour but still had some great memories out on the line !! Keep it up much love & respect!! 🔥 🚒

[DavidLehman-owds]

Hey y'all Pennsylvania Wildlands firefighter here also type 2 wardens hand crew I'm a rookie haven't seen fire yet but next year I get to see a big wildfire I can't wait to see what everyone is talking about an take the next step to my successful life then being a drunk an on hard drugs I really want this future an career to show myself it's possible to change an become something more greater then addict or drunk I get tears in my eyes everyday watching theses videos bc I see how happy an the connection of get to know others an experience the life an to know your a hardcore Wildlands firefighter I seen myself trying pushing an fighting my wildfire to get to where I need to be on the front lines of an actual wildfire an have a awesome career an take this job to the heavens an grave with me an to show my dad an mom they have a successful son out of all 9 kids that stuck in the game an street life path when I'm a firefighter

[scotteldridge]

Love each and EVERY ONE of
Yall!
As an air-tanker pilot, there are very few human beings that really get what yall do...let alone what we do.
Thank YOU for sharing!

[drewfrench]

Craig, we feel for you guys. I couldn't imagine what you've been through this summer❤

[mtnride]

Much respect to all the crews out there. I started out my career in firefighting with CDF after the military then switched to a good size municipal FD in CA. Stay safe out there. KUDOS for a job well done from an old 30 year career FF now retired.

[WATERAX]

It's definitely not for everyone! Thank you for all the hard work! Stay safe

[seanlangaker]

Great video. watched it a few times. Land management. Leadership. Humility. Support. Cheers.

[richardstocke]

I did 2 fire seasons in 69 & 70 with the El Cariso Hot Shots. Found out about the Hot Shots from. my dad. He did 1 season out of Missoula in 43 He then lied about age and joined the Navy in 44

[mattowens]

Man, it looks like this work sucks...I can't wait to start!

[wildland-Fire-Dan]

I started as a casual firefighter on a type 2 IA crew with the us forest service left in June on my first fire from Jun to Oct I was home probably about 5 days . I come home and went straight to a back to back seasonal position. I ended full time for around 7 years as a fire dozer operator