As reported by Vanessa Misciagna for News 5 Cleveland, the United States is experiencing longer and more intense wildfire seasons due to rising temperatures and drier conditions, according to research by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
This has led to a growing need for wildland firefighters, yet the number of available firefighters remains insufficient.
Ben McClane, a federal hand crew captain based in the Pacific Northwest, highlights the demanding nature of the job: “I worked 28 hours straight and then left the fire line to come home for an afternoon off.
“We have a day off today and then we’ll be out again tomorrow for probably weeks,” McClane shared with News 5 Cleveland.
Wildland firefighters often spend weeks on assignments, away from family and friends, facing both physical and mental challenges.
Recruitment and retention of firefighters are critical issues, exacerbated by comparatively low federal pay rates.
“It doesn’t matter what color of vehicle the folks I’m working with show up in, we do the same job and we do it together; but the reality is the person I’m doing that job right next to, if they work for a state or local municipality, probably make two to three times more money than I do for the same position,” said McClane.
Jeff Marsolais, Associate Chief overseeing fire and aviation resources for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), echoes these concerns: “The personal fatigue is a part of it. The being away from home is a part of it.
“And when you combine all that for low wages, in some cases, our folks are barely squeaking by with the finances.”
He cited instances of firefighters living in their vehicles due to unaffordable rents.
Last year, the USFS experienced a 45% attrition rate among its firefighters.
While the service met its goal of hiring 11,300 firefighters this fiscal year, Marsolais emphasizes that this number represents only the operational minimum.
Temporary pay increases, initiated by the Biden administration as part of the Infrastructure Bill, have provided some relief, raising entry-level hourly wages from approximately $13 to $15.
However, there is a push to make these increases permanent through legislation like the Wildland Firefighter Pay Protection Act and proposed budget increases for 2025 to hire additional firefighters.
The need for experienced firefighters is crucial, as McClane noted: “It should take years before you’re trusted with the responsibility of making a decision under extreme stress that could impact whether someone lives or dies.”
USFS research indicates that 115 million Americans live in high-risk fire areas.
The ongoing recruitment efforts and legislative proposals aim to address the critical shortfall in the federal wildland firefighting workforce to ensure public safety.
Luke Mayfield, co-founder of the advocacy group Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, emphasizes the urgency: “This is a solvable problem, but you can’t solve the problem without people on the ground and the urgency — like we’re past urgent, this is a dire situation.”
As temporary pay increases are set to expire this fall, Marsolais warns of the potential impact on firefighter retention: “When our firefighters lose hope that a pay solution is on the horizon, they will find other better work that is more sustainable for their lives.”
McClane underscores the importance of adequate resources and staffing for public safety: “It’s the foundational element that ensures the right people are there because without it, the fire department doesn’t show up.”
