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Montana Wildland Firefighter Jobs

Since 2016, 1,991 wildland firefighter jobs have been posted across Montana — and 628 were entry-level (no experience needed). Here's where the crews are and how to pick one.

When they hire

Most Montana jobs get posted in September, October, August. Federal fire hiring runs in the fall and winter for the next summer — so apply early, months before fire season.

Who hires

  • Forest Service (1,490)
  • Bureau of Land Management (298)
  • Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (82)
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (54)

Crew types posted

  • Helitack (131)
  • Dispatch (121)
  • Smokejumpers (101)
  • Fuels / Rx fire (93)
  • Hotshot crew (82)

The types of crews — what they do & how big

Typical crew sizes and duties (general fire-world norms, not specific to one posting).

Hotshot crew · 20-person crew

Hike into the toughest, most remote parts of big fires and cut fireline by hand.

Not entry-level Usually 1–2+ seasons on a crew first; very competitive.

Smokejumpers · elite; a few bases

Parachute into remote fires that crews can't reach by road.

Not entry-level At least one full fire season to apply; most have several.

Helitack · small modules

Get flown to fires by helicopter for fast initial attack.

Not entry-level Usually a season or two on the ground first.

Engine crew · 3–10 per engine

Drive fire engines to the fire, pump water, and run hose lays.

✅ Entry-level No experience needed — a classic first job.

Hand crew · ~18–20 per crew

Dig fireline by hand with tools.

✅ Entry-level No experience needed — the classic first job.

Fuels / Rx fire · varies

Thin brush and run planned (prescribed) burns to cut wildfire risk before it starts.

✅ Entry-level Entry-level seasonal roles are common.

Dispatch · support role

Coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line.

Not entry-level A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.

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.

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):

21
'18
26
'19
45
'20
23
'21
20
'22
30
'23
14
'24
13
'25
17
'26

🔥 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):

25
'18
26
'19
43
'20
26
'21
30
'22
34
'23
21
'24
6
'25
14
'26

🔥 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):

24
'18
25
'19
38
'20
16
'21
22
'22
20
'23
10
'24
11
'25
13
'26

🔥 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):

24
'18
25
'19
40
'20
21
'21
25
'22
22
'23
12
'24
8
'25
10
'26

🔥 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):

19
'18
20
'19
28
'20
16
'21
24
'22
25
'23
18
'24
9
'25
15
'26

🔥 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):

15
'18
18
'19
26
'20
16
'21
21
'22
40
'23
16
'24
8
'25
14
'26

🔥 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):

22
'18
22
'19
39
'20
19
'21
27
'22
34
'23
18
'24
4
'25
11
'26

🔥 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):

13
'18
14
'19
27
'20
16
'21
29
'22
34
'23
11
'24
8
'25
13
'26

🔥 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):

19
'18
24
'19
38
'20
17
'21
32
'22
31
'23
16
'24
3
'25
11
'26

🔥 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):

17
'18
18
'19
34
'20
15
'21
19
'22
22
'23
10
'24
3
'25
5
'26

🔥 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):

19
'18
19
'19
35
'20
21
'21
28
'22
31
'23
17
'24
4
'25
11
'26

🔥 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):

14
'18
16
'19
23
'20
8
'21
11
'22
14
'23
6
'24
3
'25
5
'26

🔥 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):

14
'18
15
'19
21
'20
13
'21
22
'22
23
'23
17
'24
8
'25
9
'26

🔥 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):

14
'18
17
'19
29
'20
11
'21
13
'22
17
'23
13
'24
8
'25
12
'26

🔥 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):

13
'18
16
'19
31
'20
16
'21
15
'22
14
'23
10
'24
6
'25
9
'26

🔥 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.

Montana wildland firefighter jobs open right now

No Montana jobs are open this minute — federal fire postings come in waves (mostly fall and winter). Browse all open jobs, or check back soon.

Wildland firefighter jobs in other states

California (4 open) Idaho (2 open) Arizona (2 open) Utah (2 open) South Dakota (1 open, 1 entry-level) Alaska (1 open) Texas (1 open) Oregon Colorado Wyoming New Mexico Washington Nevada Minnesota Florida Virginia Michigan Tennessee North Carolina Mississippi Oklahoma Georgia Illinois Arkansas Missouri South Carolina Kentucky Wisconsin North Dakota Louisiana West Virginia Alabama Nebraska Pennsylvania Indiana New Hampshire Ohio Vermont Kansas

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