Wildland Firefighting
Wildland fire is most of what we do.
About 85 percent of our district is wildland, and that's where our crews spend the summer. When our neighbors call, we send crews and apparatus beyond the district too.
What it involves
Grass, sage, timber and everything in between.
Wildland for us is more than going out of state. Most of the Sand Hollow district is wildland, and keeping fire in it small is what our crews spend the summer doing.
Sand Hollow also holds a cooperator agreement with the Idaho Department of Lands. When an incident needs help, they call, and we send apparatus and qualified people to it, close to home or out of state.
It is real work in hard conditions. Crews go out for extended assignments, sleep in fire camp, and come back filthy. It is also how a lot of people here got started.
How to apply
Wildland and in-district volunteering use the same application. Choose wildland on it and attach your certifications and position task books. Questions before you apply: call (986) 221-9127 or email admin@sandhollowfire.com.
Go to the applicationWhat is required
Before you can go out on a fire.
These are the national minimums for an entry-level wildland firefighter (FFT2), set by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.
- 01
Be at least 18
Wildland assignments are for adults.
- 02
Basic wildland fire training
S-130 Firefighter Training including field day, S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, and L-180 Human Factors on the Fireline, plus FEMA's free online IS-100 and IS-700 courses. After your first season, the RT-130 refresher every year.
S-130, S-190 and L-180 at our conference - 03
Pass the pack test
The arduous Work Capacity Test: walk 3 miles carrying a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less.
- 04
Personal Protective Equipment
- Flame resistant clothing
- Proper footwear
- Hard hat
- Leather gloves
- Safety glasses
- Fire shelter
Common questions
Before you apply.
- Do wildland and in-district volunteering use the same application?
- Yes. One application covers both: choose wildland, in-district volunteering, or both.
- When should I apply?
- Before the season, not during it. If you apply in July we will most likely not get back to you until it snows, unless you are already qualified and can step straight onto a crew. Winter and early spring are when we are actually reading applications.
- How long is an assignment?
- Assignments are typically 14 days but can run up to 21 days or be shorter, based on demand for resources. Crews sleep in fire camp while they are out.