California Wildland Firefighter Jobs

Where the crews are in California

The towns that hire most. "Entry-level per year" is the typical number of no-experience roles posted in a normal season — your best read on how many spots there are and how many other rookies you'd be with.

↓ Skip to the 57 jobs open now in California

Susanville, California

672 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 19 entry-level spots a year (173 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

'23

'24

'25

'26

'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.
Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.
Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.

Redding, California

649 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 12 entry-level spots a year (111 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

'23

'24

'25

'26

'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

Smokejumpers — parachute into remote fires that crews can't reach by road. At least one full fire season to apply; most have several.
Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.
Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.
Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.

Chester, California

551 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 13 entry-level spots a year (120 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

'23

'24

'25

'26

'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Quincy, California

521 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 13 entry-level spots a year (118 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

'23

'24

'25

'26

'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.
Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Fort Jones, California

508 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 13 entry-level spots a year (120 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

'23

'24

'25

'26

'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Pollock Pines, California

500 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 13 entry-level spots a year (120 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

'23

'24

'25

'26

'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Happy Camp, California

466 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 14 entry-level spots a year (126 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

'23

'24

'25

'26

'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.
Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.

Springville, California

435 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 11 entry-level spots a year (100 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

'23

'24

'25

'26

'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.
Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.

Bishop, California

412 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 10 entry-level spots a year (87 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

'23

'24

'25

'26

'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.
Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.
Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.

Nevada City, California

412 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 12 entry-level spots a year (108 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

'23

'24

'25

'26

'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.
Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Camptonville, California

408 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 14 entry-level spots a year (132 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

'23

'24

'25

'26

'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Foresthill, California

408 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 14 entry-level spots a year (130 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

'23

'24

'25

'26

'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Kernville, California

406 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 11 entry-level spots a year (106 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

'23

'24

'25

'26

'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.
Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Groveland, California

398 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 10 entry-level spots a year (90 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

'23

'24

'25

'26

'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Alturas, California

394 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 13 entry-level spots a year (121 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in August, January, September — apply the fall and winter before the summer you want to work.
Where rookies start: engine & hand crews — digging line, mop-up, hose lays, and patrol.

Entry-level openings by fire season (the summer you'd work):

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

'23

'24

'25

'26

'27

🔥 Experienced hires — crews based here you work up to

Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.
Hotshot crew — hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand. Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.
Helitack — get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack. Usually a season or two on the ground first.

Bars count entry-level postings by fire season — the summer you'd work. Federal fire jobs are posted the fall and winter before (peak Aug–Oct), so each season's bar includes everything hired for that summer, not the calendar date it was posted. The "per year" figure averages complete seasons 2018–2026. Counts come from federal USAJOBS announcements; one regional announcement can list many towns, so these show how often a town appears — a strong signal of where the work is, not an exact headcount.