How do most people become wildland firefighters?

It's a question I get asked, and I'm sure most of us in this line of work have been asked it. When you try to tell someone who has no clue about that or has no idea that there are wildland firefighters and that all firefighters drive in big, shiny red trucks, it makes it difficult to describe. Yet I try my best and laugh as I do. Wildland firefighters, or Forestry Technicians as we have been called for so many years, are the ones who drive into the danger while others are driving out, the ones who show up in engines, helicopters, crew buggies, or even jump out of an airplane to fight the forest fire that is burning behind those evacuating people: that or the hillside in the urban interface of Los Angeles, or the coast of Maui.

We are the unsung heroes of the wildland who often get overlooked or don't have people understand our lives and how we work and live.

For me, it all started in 2012 when the Waldo Canyon Fire broke out in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I had plenty of friends and family who lived on the city's west side and were evacuated when the fire roared down the hill into the city. After the fire, I began to inquire about how one goes about becoming a wildland firefighter myself (go figure) because I didn't like seeing people I knew in danger and having to flee. I never pursued it thoroughly, and it dropped off until a year later, in 2013 when the Black Forest Fire erupted where I lived. Now, I was in danger and forced to flee, and I didn't like that feeling of helplessness, so after the fire was over, I truly researched how to start my journey and took the first steps toward this career.

Since that first step, I've been able to work for engine crews, Type 2IA crews, and even Hotshot crews with both the Forest Service and Park Service. I have made my way up from the rookie we all start as to a qualified Squad Boss or FFT1 as we call it. I've traveled all over the western United States fighting fires in forests, grass, hills, mountains, you name it. I've met some fantastic people along the way and even taught a few people a thing or two in the meantime.

But I am just saying all the good things and fun times about what has happened and what it's like. Now for the actual talk. The down and dirty of what we sacrifice as wildland firefighters to do this job that so many people see but don't truly understand. To most, we are seen on the news and shown to be heroes who fight endlessly to put out the fire and save lives and land, which is true in many aspects. But what we lose while doing this is not seen in the public eye as much or understood by those outside this profession. I haven't had a "summer" in seven years because I start my job in April and work till October. While all my friends and family are at the pool, going on the cruise, camping, or whatever, I'm out in the smoke, eating less than-ideal food while working in the hot sun and heat of the fire swinging tools or cutting with a chainsaw. Some folks in this profession have to give up seeing their significant others for almost six to seven months, even not seeing their children if they have them. Because of this, a lot of wildland firefighters lose their marriages or relationships because, for our partners, it is just too much to handle and be part of.

Then, there is the physical and mental toll this job takes on us. We strive to be at peak fitness throughout the season because if we aren't, we fall behind or can injure ourselves or others. I have overworked myself in the offseason just to try and be in "ready shape" only to have my physical abilities pushed to their limits once I start work. The mental side of it is no different in any aspect and deserves to be talked about as well. Due to the stress of the work, the conditions we are in, the longing for home, family, friends, ect. The brain has to try and survive these six to seven months while performing the tasks we need for our work, especially if we are in a leadership position. Depression and suicide, unfortunately, are very high among wildland firefighters, and the help they need is slowly growing and becoming more open, but more must be done.

The down and dirty is that wildland firefighters have proved time and time again that they work tirelessly to do their jobs while sacrificing so much in return.

I am no different in that regard. I hope to fulfill a dream that has been put off too long due to my career in fire. I pushed school off to focus on my career, and now, as I've gotten older, I have dreamed of getting my degree and starting a different career. I’ll be sad to leave fire but know it will always be a part of me and the people I met will always be friends.