That would be awesome to get there at some point. Figure get started low and see where it goes. I enjoy it being seasonal as I already do seasonal work. The only reason I get paid as low as I do is that I have no CDL, so only able to run on private land, and I'm new at it. I make $25 an hour minus taxes and all that good stuff. Don't really need more money; I just want to try out something different and get out of this town for a while.

Love running saws and doing physical work. I don't see any of that being an issue. More of a getting into shape for it kind of deal. I thought about going the volunteer firefighter route for a bit, but I want to get out of this town and see what I can do.

You sure seem in a hurry to get out of town lol. Fighting with your folks or did a girl break your heart? Rhetorical. Doesn't matter. You are young and unattached and what you are wanting to do sounds like a good plan. Decide what state/area you want to be in. Out west? Alaska? then go do it.

Or.....you can join the military, that'll get you out of town, toughen you up, and expand your possibilities...

The Navy and Air Force both offer fire fighting careers. My son spent twelve years as a Air Force firefighter and then moved on to a career as a full time GS contract fire fighter. You recieve some of the best training avaliable and all the certifications needed, plus get to travel and see the world.

I did it for a few years after I got out of the Army. I worked seasonally for the FS and trapped in the winter. It was a good life. I worked in trails for my primary job but back then almost everyone who worked for the FS was expected to work fires in some capacity. Back then I hoped to get on permanent with the FS and they would hold that permanent job carrot out there all the time to keep good seasonals coming back. After I got married I realized I was going to have to take on a job that had benefits after I realized the FS was never going to offer us permanent jobs.

I enjoyed wildland firefighting. I did it with full crews, initial attack crews and on overhead teams. It's hard work. brutal hard work sometimes. But for a guy in reasonably good shape, its rewarding. Got to see a lot of the northwest, albeit smoke covered, hot and ashy.

Between the trail work and the firefighting I was in the best shape I was ever in, including my time in the Army. I was in good shape in the Army but not anything to compare to my years fighting wildfire and working trails.

Young man, I'll share the same piece of advice i got from my dad and totally ignored but here goes:

There are 2 types of careers you can enter into that will provide you with a good living, become a professional like Dr. or Lawyer, nurse, something that requires a degree that is in high demand and (this part is new) can't be replaced by AI. OR enter the trades and pick one that the professionals can't do and won't live without, like heating and air, auto repair, plumbing.

That being said wildland fire is a job that gets you out into the great outdoors and can become a rewarding career if done correctly. its easier to get the federal jobs if your a veteran or even in the national guard. I like I said in my first post multiple agencies have wildland fire not just the forest circus, BLM, Park service, Fish and wildlife. Smoke jumping is glamorous but Heli tac is what I wish I could have done.

Feel free to reach out as I have some connections that I can put you in touch with that should be able to give some great advice and guidance on the process.

Rember a healthy forest is a black forest.

To apply to be a smokejumper, you will need to prove yourself as a ground pounding flame beater first! Once you have worked as a FSS or Hot Shot, THEN you can apply.

You do not go directly from the couch to a jump ship.... it just doesn't work that way.

Pete