2026 Wildland Fire Opportunities

Wildfire season in the western United States runs from June through October, and it is already here. If you have been thinking about getting into wildland firefighting or if you need to renew your certifications before your next deployment now is the time to act.

Blue Ribbon Fire Company is a Colorado-based wildland fire contractor actively deploying crews and equipment to support federal wildfire operations with agencies including the US Forest Service, BLM, BIA, and others. We are hiring right now. If you complete the training below and meet our requirements, we want to hear from you.
 

What Certifications Do You Need?

 

To work with Blue Ribbon Fire Company, the minimum requirement is a current Red Card and a passed Pack Test.

Red Card: The official Incident Qualification Card issued by a certified agency or contractor. It proves you are trained and qualified to work on a fire.

Pack Test: A physical fitness test. You must walk 3 miles carrying a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less. Required every year.

To earn your Red Card as an entry-level Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2), you need to complete the following courses:
 

S-130: Firefighter Training — covers tools, tactics, suppression, and fireline safety

S-190: Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior — fuels, weather, and topography

L-180: Human Factors on the Fireline — decision making and crew communication

IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System (free online via FEMA)

IS-700: Introduction to NIMS (free online via FEMA)
 

Once certified, you must renew every year by completing the RT-130 Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and passing the Pack Test again.

 

Recommended External Guide (Optional)

 

If you’re new to wildland fire, Wildland Fire 101 is an excellent overview of the hiring landscape, what to expect, and how to plan your path. Use it as a reference, then return here to get on our roster once you meet the minimum standards.

 

Wildland Fire 101: https://www.wildlandfire101.com/

 

External resources are provided for convenience; we are not affiliated with these organizations.