Wildland Firefighting Pros and Cons, is it the Right Fit for You?!

I asked the fire community what their pros and cons of the profession were to help you get a better understanding of not only the mindset of the community but to also help you determine if it is the right fit for you.

Don't forget to give it a 👍 & enjoy!

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#wildlandfirefighting #wildlandfirefighter #wildland #femalefirefighter

[melr]

I went straight into wildland firefighting after my last deployment to Afghanistan. It made the transition back into civilian world so much easier because I felt the same camaraderie and sense of purpose with my crew as I did with the Marines in my company.

[petergonzalez]

Wow! Right on point! Pros: I get paid to have a vacation (I was in Glacier National Park for 2 weeks. No tourists!), brotherhood, achieving another goal from my adrenaline junkie mindset, boost in self esteem, mental clarity, visiting tiny towns, talking to locals, expanding my knowledge of the world. Cons: Coming back home to the ghetto. No benefits. Readjusting. All in all, I've found that people either love it or are constantly looking for a cell signal. Lol.

[randywarnock]

I worked on wildfires for over 30 years. I have had many qualifications. As I aged I let my fireline positions expire and transferred into a fire team (Washington Incident Management Team 1). I worked in Logistics Section. Plus as an Information Officer and Interagency Resource Representative. I was 68 on my last wildfire and am 71 now.

[Olivescat]

I love seeing a female wildlands firefighter!
I am always hearing people say "you don't want to break the men's group" "being a female you will change the whole dynamic" "you will hold the team back", all of these things made me afraid to look more into it. You have helped me so much with my fear and now I am less afraid to apply and talk to people who do wildlands firefighting. Thank you for these videos!

[smokey]

I had a great time fighting wildland fire. I started on a hotshot crew a week after HS Graduation and and worked the next 5 fire seasons on hotshot crews. After I got my BS in Forestry, I was Foreman on a Helitack crew untilI I was drafted. After my two Army years, I worked for the National Interagency Fire Center as National Situation Coordinator for 3 year followed as state level Fire Management Officer for the Territory of Guam. I think my best time was when I was on the 'shots, the excitement when the alarm goes and we are responding code 3, the fire community, pushing myself to my absolute extreme, because of my personality being seen as a leader even though I didn't know it, and so much more. After 12 years of wildfire fighting, I responded to another calling, Catholic Priesthood. I graduated from a Catholic Seminary with a Masters of Theology and was ordained to priesthood for an independent denomiation. Eventually I was elected Presiding Bishop of the denomination. I had to resign when I became seriously ill.

[damaribrackett]

Thank you to all the wildland firefighters AND wildland firefighter support staff for what you do your work dose not and will not go unnoticed!!!

[justinblake]

I totally agree with suffering with your crew makes for the best memories hands down. a 36-hour shift and 75% of our crew getting heat exhaustion was mad wild last summer! but such an amazing memory. Grateful the fire dinner was so delicious. also got to pet a beagle from a dozer operator and refreshed our squad.

[emilynagel]

Wow, your genuine excitement in listing the pros here is so contagious. Thanks for these videos, Ronni!

[SwimmingOwl]

I just applied for a woodland job in Washington. Your videos got me sooo pumped!!

[RetLt]

Great job! I’m certain you’re honestly and enthusiasm will be the catalyst for many seeking employment in the sector! Stay Safe!

[canyonfreakadventures]

Appreciate your enthusiasm! Terrified of failing my pack test this week. I was 15 seconds short last week. I gotta get it because I'm stoked to meet this new challenge head on. 👩🏽‍🚒🔥♥️

[MrHyjac]

If they did 2 of these 3 I’d join in a heartbeat.

-increased pay (significantly)
-better work life balance
-pension

[billytribble]

Ronni I'm a big fan of you. I love how you explain things in the wildland fire world. Keep up the good work and videos

[LARRYWahler]

I worked in a season in wildland firefighting last year, I really loved it but didn't think I wanted to do it long term. Now, after 3 months working in an office that I'm now quiting, I'm looking to get back in it fultime next season, good thing I refreshed my fire quals.

[MrChangito]

ty ty ty so much.
im joining wildland firefighter team as a handcrew this year 2021.
and you just explained exactly how im feeling, why im trying to do this job. you even made me cry, i could picture myself being in there and feeling how you were feeling.
after you and your crew completed the job, then look the forest and houses behind you that you & the crew just saved .. how greater rewards can u you get

[the_bearded_firefighter]

Another con definitely would be after awhile you start developing long-term aches and injuries. But the pros list is alot bigger! For anyone wanting to get into this linebof work I'd suggest them go hangout with a crew in the off season doesn't matter if it's with a shot crew or engine crews go to the station hangout with them PT with them ask questions.

[callsignforgerose]

Cons that i have seen is the attitude between different organizations

[RicoAdv]

Thank you this was very helpful! I got my red card with a private wff company in Oregon last year and am waiting to go out this season. I look forward to the hard work 🙏🏼

[halitrainor]

I really loved my experience in wild land firefighting from 2007-2012 in CA and ID. The reason I stopped is because I had to finish my degree and they stopped with the STEP program where I could be a student and do it at the same time, not making it easy to be able to go to school and do both. I think the biggest pro is the team related efforts and boy do you get to know each other well! If you thrive on thinking critically and leading a team, you'll advance in the career. Con would be I missed A LOT of weddings, events, etc., because I had to head on a fire for a two week period of time. You can skip an assignment, but it definitely puts a kink in how the crew flows, because it's often times after to find fill ins. My social life took a tole and it's hard to balance a family & relationships when you're gone so long. However, I am A HUGE people person, so that's just me.

[Ja]

Wildland firefighter is great i did inmate firefighter I would had love to have done it for a living best experience along hot shots and cal fire great people