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How do I become a seasonal firefighter in California?

Author

Mia Ramsey

Published Feb 15, 2026

How do I become a seasonal firefighter in California?

Eligibility Requirements
  1. Must be a US Citizen or US National.
  2. Males born after 12/31/59 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  3. Must meet Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) qualifications.
  4. Position requires a Work Capacity Test (WCT)
  5. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Regarding this, how much do seasonal firefighters make in California?

Wildland Firefighter Salary in California

Annual SalaryWeekly Pay
Top Earners$120,430$2,315
75th Percentile$51,121$983
Average$49,425$950
25th Percentile$26,543$510

Also, how do I become a wildland firefighter? Goal is to complete the workout in less time each week.

  1. THE BUY IN. 25 BURPEES. RUN 800M (1/2 MILE)
  2. TURN AROUND. 20 EXPLOSIVE SQUAT JUMPS. 10 YARDS OF OVERHEAD WALKING LUNGES BACK TO POINT A.
  3. REPEAT BUY IN. 25 BURPEES. RUN 800M (1/2 MILE)
  4. TURN AROUND. 20 PUSH-UPS. 10 YARDS OF OVERHEAD WALKING LUNGES TO POINT A.
  5. BUY OUT. 25 BURPEES.

Similarly, you may ask, can you be a seasonal firefighter?

To become a seasonal firefighter, you must apply to the agency that interests you. Every agency has its own process for hiring seasonal employees. You may want to consider applying to more than one agency.

How long does it take to become a firefighter in California?

It will generally take most people between 2 to 5 years to get a job as a professional firefighter (volunteer positions are usually much easier). There are numerous steps to prepare and a competitive and long hiring process to start a career in the fire service. California has even tougher odds than many other states.

How do I get a job at Cal Fire?

Fire Fighter I Hotline: (951) 901-5060 CAL FIRE Website: Applications will be accepted each year during a one-month filing period from November 1st through November 30th. Applications must be filed at Southern Region Headquarters- Fresno office to be considered for employment.

What do Smokejumpers get paid?

Smokejumpers, also spelled smoke jumpers, employed in California make an average annual salary of $62,285, which equals about $30/hour. Entry-level smokejumpers can expect to make approximately $45,495/year, while senior-level smoker jumpers earn approximately $76,290/year.

What is the starting pay for Cal Fire?

CAL Fire Salaries
Job TitleSalary
Fire Fighter I salaries - 1 salaries reported$13/hr
Firefighter/Paramedic salaries - 1 salaries reported$18/hr
Customer Service salaries - 1 salaries reported$19/hr
Wildland Firefighter salaries - 1 salaries reported$13/hr

Do volunteer firefighters get paid in California?

Volunteer firefighters freely volunteer their efforts as a way of serving and giving back to their community. They often do not receive monetary compensation from the fire department. If they are paid, it is typically in the form of small stipends or annual bonuses.

How much do Cal Fire dozer operators make?

How Much Do Fire Dozer Operator Jobs Pay per Year? $34,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $48,000 is the 75th percentile.

What do hotshots do in the off season?

During the off-season, wildland firefighters may still work full-time as firefighters. However, seasonal wildland firefighters work during the fire season and may collect unemployment, travel, work other jobs, or further their education during the off-season.

How much do California wildfire firefighters make?

The starting salary for many federal U.S. Forest Service firefighters in California is $28,078, barely 40% of the $66,336 entry-level salary Cal Fire pays. It's clear why federal agencies have trouble attracting and retaining skilled firefighters.

How much do hotshots get paid in California?

Hotshot Driver Salary in California
Annual SalaryWeekly Pay
Top Earners$76,682$1,474
75th Percentile$60,460$1,162
Average$59,014$1,134
25th Percentile$37,357$718

What is Red Card certification?

The Red Card is an agency-issued document that certifies that an individual has the training, experience and physical fitness to perform the tasks of a specified position on a wildland or prescribed fire.

How do I apply for hotshot crews?

The application process for Federal Hotshot employment typically goes through USAJOBS.com, but direct contact with your chosen Hotshot Crew's leadership—by phone, email, and particularly in-person visit—is very beneficial, and often essential.

What qualifications do you need to be a hotshot?

Are you physically fit to be a hotshot?
  • 1.5 mile run in a time of 10:35 or less.
  • 40 sit-ups in 60 seconds.
  • 25 pushups in 60 seconds.
  • Chin-ups, based on body weight. More than 170 lbs. = 4 chin-ups. 135-170 lbs. = 5 chin-ups. 110-135 lbs. = 6 chin-ups. Less than 110 lbs. = 7 chin-ups.

Can a felon become a firefighter in California?

A California licensing law that bans many ex-offenders from working as full-time firefighters, even if they were trained to fight fires while imprisoned, was upheld last week by a federal judge. Since World War II, California has relied on prisoners to fight the state's immensely destructive wildfires.

What do hotshot firefighters do?

Hotshot crews are the most highly trained, skilled and experienced type of handcrews. They are qualified to provide leadership for initial-attack and extended-attack on wildland fires. Hotshots are trained and equipped to work in remote areas for extended periods of time with minimal logistical support.

What is a wildfire firefighter?

These duties include serving as a firefighter or engine operator during prescribed burning and wildfire suppression activities; conducting regular maintenance and repairs on various equipment such as fire engines, tractors, mowers, chain saws, and hand tools; serving as a crew member during fire break preparation which

How do you train for fire season?

Muscle Endurance: In the last two weeks leading up to the fire season, you should modify your strength workouts to focus on endurance. Lift 50-70 percent of your maximum weight, but increase your reps to 12-20 for 1-3 sets. Allow one-minute breaks between sets, and increase your sessions to 3-4 days per week.

How do I train for a pack test?

For the Pack Test, begin by hiking a 3-mile flat course without a pack. When you can cover the course in less than 45 minutes, add a pack with about 25 pounds. Increase the weight until you can hike 3 miles in 45 minutes while carrying 45 pounds. Also, hike hills with a pack to build leg strength and endurance.

Is wildland firefighting seasonal?

Seasonal crews operate during the peak wildfire period during the year, typically April through October. Training may only be offered periodically at seasonal center locations. Crews construct fire line to help contain and control wildland fires, as well as perform initial attacks and mop up on fires.

How much do wildland firefighters make in a season?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $155,000 and as low as $17,500, the majority of Seasonal Wildland Firefighter salaries currently range between $26,000 (25th percentile) to $52,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $122,500 annually across the United States.

Is wildland firefighting a good career?

Wildland firefighters may be required to work long hours in challenging and changing conditions, such as high temperatures and steep terrain. A career in wildland fire has many rewards, including the opportunity to work in some of the most beautiful places in the country and create friendships that last a lifetime.

Are calisthenics good for firefighters?

Calisthenics and Core

Chest, shoulders, abs, and back muscles— what I refer to as “mountain coreâ€â€” is a critical focus for building durability. Working on these areas entails push-ups, pull-ups, flutter-kicks, dips, and sit-ups—tens of thousands of them every off-season.

Do firefighters get paid well?

Firefighters made a median salary of $50,850 in 2019. The best-paid 25 percent made $69,040 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $34,470.

How do you physically train to be a firefighter?

Workouts to Prepare You for the CPAT: The Fire Department Physical Ability Test
  1. Barbell Squat 4x5. Set up a barbell on the supports of a squat rack.
  2. Straight Leg Deadlift 3x10.
  3. Backward Drags (4 x 20 yards)
  4. Stair Climber (20 Minutes)
  5. Good Mornings 3x10.
  6. Stair Climber (20 Minutes)

Is 30 too old to become a firefighter?

You can become a professional firefighter after 30, 40, or even 50 at some fire departments. There are departments that have upper age limits between 28 and 40, while others have no upper age requirements for firefighters. There are usually no upper age limits to be a volunteer firefighter.

What is the cut off age for firefighter in California?

We do not have an age limit for applicants. It is very possible that two people the same age, whether 20 or 40, will perform very differently. It is up to each recruit, in conjunction with their medical physician, to determine what they are physically capable of doing.

How hard is fire academy?

Overall, most fire academies are pretty hard to successfully complete. You must be physically and mentally prepared for the task. And lastly, we will give you some actionable, insider tips to prepare yourself to not just pass the academy, but excel!

Is becoming a firefighter worth it?

Conclusion. Firefighting is an incredibly rewarding job that's truly worth it if you're willing to put in the time and effort. Though you will have to give up some much-valued time with your friends and family and put yourself at risk in dangerous situations, being a firefighter has plenty of benefits.

How much do firefighters make an hour?

How Much Do Firefighter Jobs Pay per Hour?
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$63,500$31
75th Percentile$54,500$26
Average$44,421$21
25th Percentile$34,500$17

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