Forestry Firefighter

A High School diploma or equivalent education; 5 years of experience in wildland fire fighting; and knowledge of related equipment.

Helpful courses to take in high school: science courses, such as earth science, are beneficial especially in the area of understanding weather and how it affects fire behavior.

Public speaking and communication courses are also helpful.

• Forestry Firefighters uses water pumps, chemical pumps and shovels to extinguish fire flames and embers. They also use this equipment to prevent forest fires.
• Experience with tractors, bulldozers or V plow equipment may be needed to proficiently plow preventative fire lines as well as plow fire lines during a wildfire. 
• When an area is consumed by fire, the Forestry Firefighter may be dropped into the affected area by air. Parachutes are used to safely drop and land on the ground. Once on the ground, the firefighter will use a map and compass to navigate the affected area.
• If human rescue is necessary, use of emergency medical treatment (i.e. wound dressings, life nets, etc.).
• Communication tools, such as a CB Radio, are used to coordinate with local fire officials.
• Protective clothing such as thick boots, fire-resistant clothing and a hard hat.

Teamwork skills are critical, as this position requires work on a team of firefighters. Coworkers depend on each other to safely and effectively extinguish wildfires. The ability to work well with others on managing a wildfire - distributing water and other fire retardants, driving equipment and communicating with others is essential.

Knowledge in reading maps, using a compass and communication tools such as a CB Radio.

The ability to work well under pressure and adapt skills to any given situation. Wildfires are unpredictable, providing a thrilling, and often dangerous, work environment. Being able to adapt to the situation is critical to remaining safe while managing the land.

Being physically fit is helpful. Oftentimes, firefighters carry large, heavy loads of equipment and are required to walk long distances.

During a forest fire, it is the Forestry Firefighter’s responsibility to act quickly to maintain and suppress it. During fire season, Forestry Firefighters often bring their firefighting gear and vehicle with them wherever they work so they can respond at a moment’s notice. They may plow fire lines around the perimeter of the wildfire to prevent it from spreading. Sometimes, firefighters are dropped by air into the affected area to begin conducting suppression methods, such as water applications. In addition to fighting fire, firefighters work to rescue hikers and other people trapped in the fire areas. Should there be any injuries, they may be required to offer emergency medical treatment to the rescuees.

After a fire, they patrol for any remaining hotspots and extinguish them. They also write fire management plans and conduct fire prevention education programs for the company staff.

When they are not out fighting fires, Forestry Firefighters work behind the scenes to prepare for and prevent high fire danger. For example, they review road right-of-ways to ensure they are safe from fuels such as dry underbrush. If fuel is present, they must eliminate it. In addition, this position manages any controlled burning events that occur on the managed land.

Learn more with these video stories:

• Rayonier Forest Rangers Focused on Fire Prevention
• How Forest Management Prevents Forest Fires
• Rayonier's Fire Crews Unite to Battle Historic Wildfires in Southwest U.S.