Montana Wildland Firefighter Jobs

Where the crews are in Montana

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 36 jobs open now in Montana

Missoula, Montana

770 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 23 entry-level spots a year (210 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in September, October, August — 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.
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.
Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.

Libby, Montana

535 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 25 entry-level spots a year (225 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in September, October, August — 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.

Helena, Montana

511 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 20 entry-level spots a year (179 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in September, October, August — 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.

Hungry Horse, Montana

489 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 21 entry-level spots a year (187 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in September, October, August — 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.

Darby, Montana

456 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 19 entry-level spots a year (174 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in September, October, August — 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.

Superior, Montana

424 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 19 entry-level spots a year (174 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in September, October, August — 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.

Eureka, Montana

421 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 22 entry-level spots a year (196 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in September, October, August — 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.

Plains, Montana

417 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 18 entry-level spots a year (165 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in September, October, August — 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.

Trout Creek, Montana

414 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 21 entry-level spots a year (191 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in September, October, August — 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.

Bozeman, Montana

412 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 16 entry-level spots a year (143 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in September, October, August — 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.

Troy, Montana

406 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 21 entry-level spots a year (185 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in September, October, August — 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.

West Yellowstone, Montana

350 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 11 entry-level spots a year (100 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in September, October, August — 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.
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.

Stevensville, Montana

333 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 16 entry-level spots a year (142 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in September, October, August — 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.

Seeley Lake, Montana

332 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 15 entry-level spots a year (134 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in September, October, August — 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.

Kalispell, Montana

319 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

Typically 14 entry-level spots a year (130 in all since 2016).
When they hire: postings peak in September, October, August — 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.

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.