Investing in Our Wildland Firefighters: A Path to a Safer Nation

Wildland firefighters working on a wildfire hike to the fireline. Photo by Avi Farber, BLM contract photographer. 

BY JESSICA GARDETTO

Wildland firefighting is tough, grueling work. Every year, wildland firefighters dedicate themselves to long 16-plus-hour days on the fireline, often away from home and sleeping in tents for weeks at a time. Their mission is clear: to protect lives, communities, infrastructure, and our nation’s resources. When they return home, the job doesn’t end; they must remain constantly ready for another fire call, prepared to mobilize at a moment’s notice.

As fire activity grows longer and more intense—starting earlier in the spring and extending later into the fall—these dedicated individuals find themselves spending even more time suppressing wildfires across the country. It’s a demanding lifestyle; however, being a wildland firefighter is not just a job—it’s a calling filled with purpose and passion.

And through it all, wildland fire personnel are confronted with escalating demands such as larger and more destructive wildfire. Meanwhile, the compensation for federal and Tribal wildland firefighters has not kept pace with the challenges of their work or the conditions under which they operate. Coupled with soaring costs of living and housing—especially in Western areas where most wildland firefighters reside— firefighters were finding it increasingly difficult to remain in these jobs when their finances were stretched thin.

It became imperative that we address these disparities to ensure we can attract and retain the skilled professionals necessary to combat these growing threats. To address this in the short-term, in 2021, Congress authorized temporary measures to increase firefighter pay. For most, this resulted in a temporary increase to their annual salary, but a permanent solution was needed. 

For several years, the Interior Department, alongside our partners at the USDA Forest Service and the Office of Personnel Management, collaborated closely with Congress to secure a sustainable pay solution for wildland firefighters. On March 14, Congress passed the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (H.R. 1968), which included permanent wildland firefighter pay increases, that President Donald J. Trump signed it into law on March 15, 2025.

The law increases firefighters’ hourly rate, including for temporary and seasonal employees. It also makes permanent Bureau of Indian Affairs funding for Tribal Nations to offer pay supplements to tribal wildland firefighters. In addition, the law allows all federal employees to earn extra pay for extended deployments to qualifying incidents.

When there’s smoke in the air and flames on the horizon, it’s vital to have well-trained and well-compensated wildland firefighters ready to respond. This permanent pay increase is not merely a financial adjustment; it represents a commitment to valuing their service and recognizing the essential role that they play in keeping the nation safe. This investment not only boosts morale among these invaluable employees, but also attracts new talent to this vital field.

Investing in fair compensation for our wildland firefighters sends a strong message: we honor their dedication and recognize their essential role in protecting us from extreme wildfires and reducing future risks. Their work safeguards businesses, infrastructure, watersheds, and recreational areas vital to our economic prosperity. By supporting our wildland firefighters, we invest in a safer future for the entire nation.

Jessica Gardetto is a Public Affairs Specialist with the Office of Wildland Fire.