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Oregon Wildland Firefighter Jobs

Since 2016, 2,317 wildland firefighter jobs have been posted across Oregon — and 598 were entry-level (no experience needed). Here's where the crews are and how to pick one.

When they hire

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

Who hires

  • Forest Service (1,635)
  • Bureau of Land Management (508)
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (59)
  • National Park Service (44)

Crew types posted

  • Helitack (125)
  • Dispatch (122)
  • Hotshot crew (118)
  • Fuels / Rx fire (97)
  • Smokejumpers (93)

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 Oregon

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.

La Grande, Oregon

653 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 22 entry-level spots a year (203 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, October, 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):

16
'18
20
'19
19
'20
14
'21
25
'22
37
'23
25
'24
22
'25
24
'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.
  • 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.

Lakeview, Oregon

573 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 22 entry-level spots a year (199 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, October, 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
'18
27
'19
27
'20
13
'21
18
'22
31
'23
17
'24
20
'25
25
'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.

Prineville, Oregon

571 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 18 entry-level spots a year (168 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, October, 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):

17
'18
23
'19
22
'20
16
'21
17
'22
26
'23
17
'24
14
'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.
  • 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.

Hines, Oregon

519 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 19 entry-level spots a year (176 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, October, 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):

16
'18
20
'19
20
'20
18
'21
15
'22
23
'23
22
'24
19
'25
18
'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.
  • 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.

Baker City, Oregon

453 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 20 entry-level spots a year (177 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, October, 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):

13
'18
16
'19
15
'20
13
'21
27
'22
31
'23
22
'24
18
'25
21
'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.

John Day, Oregon

418 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 16 entry-level spots a year (140 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, October, 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):

17
'18
20
'19
18
'20
16
'21
10
'22
18
'23
18
'24
12
'25
11
'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.

Bend, Oregon

409 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 13 entry-level spots a year (117 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, October, 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):

13
'18
15
'19
17
'20
10
'21
14
'22
16
'23
11
'24
10
'25
10
'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.

Klamath Falls, Oregon

408 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 15 entry-level spots a year (133 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, October, 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):

17
'18
17
'19
18
'20
9
'21
9
'22
17
'23
14
'24
12
'25
18
'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.

McKenzie Bridge, Oregon

363 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 15 entry-level spots a year (135 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, October, 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):

13
'18
21
'19
21
'20
13
'21
11
'22
20
'23
16
'24
9
'25
10
'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.

Westfir, Oregon

363 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

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

15
'18
19
'19
18
'20
15
'21
11
'22
18
'23
16
'24
11
'25
10
'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.

Prospect, Oregon

362 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 13 entry-level spots a year (114 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, October, 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):

14
'18
16
'19
18
'20
11
'21
8
'22
16
'23
10
'24
9
'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.

Detroit, Oregon

353 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 15 entry-level spots a year (131 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, October, 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):

12
'18
19
'19
20
'20
17
'21
10
'22
16
'23
14
'24
10
'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.

Sisters, Oregon

339 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 11 entry-level spots a year (98 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, October, 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):

8
'18
13
'19
19
'20
9
'21
12
'22
11
'23
11
'24
6
'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.
  • Dispatch — coordinate crews, engines, and aircraft by radio — off the fire line. A support role — usually needs some fire or dispatch experience.

Gold Beach, Oregon

334 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, October, 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):

13
'18
15
'19
20
'20
13
'21
11
'22
17
'23
14
'24
7
'25
10
'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.

Ukiah, Oregon

327 postings since 2016

🌱 Entry-level here

  • Typically 16 entry-level spots a year (140 in all since 2016).
  • When they hire: postings peak in August, October, 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):

12
'18
20
'19
20
'20
17
'21
15
'22
22
'23
17
'24
7
'25
10
'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.

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.

Oregon wildland firefighter jobs open right now

No Oregon 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) Montana 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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