Wildfire Forest Fuels Management
Hazard Reduction
Reduces wildfire risk by thinning and limbing stands, cutting brush, burning and removing fuel buildup in high-risk zones including the wildland urban interface or infrastructure such as transmission lines or communications towers. Hands-on, physical work with strong team dynamics.
Entry-level
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
SEASONALITY
Moderate High
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Fuels crews appreciate this work for the movement, team dynamic, and clear outcomes. It’s physically demanding, with little waiting around—you’re cutting, hauling, and burning; making visible progress every day. It’s also a direct entry point into fire mitigation and fuels planning, and the skills you build—like saw handling, terrain agility, and teamwork—transfer into other forestry work and leadership roles. There is the satisfaction of contributing to the safety of communities by reducing the wildfire hazard.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
If you're the kind of person who likes to stay active, work with your hands, and spend your days in the forest, fuels management might be a perfect fit. You’ll spend most of your time with a tight-knit crew clearing out excess brush, removing deadwood, and thinning dense stands to reduce wildfire risk. Tools of the trade include chainsaws, brush saws, hand tools, and sometimes small machines like mini-excavators or wood chippers. The day is physical and purposeful—you're constantly moving, hauling, cutting, and communicating with your team. There's a rhythm to it, and crews often find their flow early in the day. You’ll typically be working under the guidance of a crew leader or technician, but once trained, there's a lot of trust and autonomy in how you carry out your tasks.
WORKING CONDITIONS
This is an all-weather, all-terrain job. You’ll be out in the elements—whether that’s hot sun, cold mornings, or surprise downpours. Work sites can be remote or adjacent to communities. You’ll spend most of your time on foot, sometimes on steep slopes, usually working in the forest understory, contending with limbs and slash. You’ll carry gear, water, food, and fuel into the field, and your day might stretch long. It’s hard physical work, but there’s a strong team culture, and breaks are often filled with laughs, shared snacks, and quick rests on logs or tailgates. If you like the idea of coming home tired and proud—this is your kind of job.
CYCLICAL NATURE OF ROLE
Fuels work is mostly seasonal, with the busiest periods in spring and fall—before and after peak fire season. Work is often tied to government funding cycles and regional fire risk assessments. Some contracts are steady through the year, but most are intermittent projects dependent on funding for planning and implementation. Crews may also transition into prescribed burn work in spring or fall or fire suppression during summer.
REQUIRED EDUCATION & TRAINING
No degree required. Most workers come in with a high school diploma or equivalent. Optional but helpful certifications include:
Basic wildfire training (S-100/S-185)
Chainsaw safety certification (varies by province)
Wilderness or Occupational First Aid (Level 1+)
ATV or UTV safety (if required for access)
REQUIRED SOFT SKILLS
To succeed in this role, you’ll need strong teamwork, situational awareness, and adaptability. You’ll be working in fast-changing environments, often with safety risks, so being alert and responsive is key. Growth comes from being able to take feedback, handle fatigue, and stay focused when plans shift in the field.
REQUIRED HARD SKILLS
Most workers start with little or no formal experience, and employers often provide training on-site. That said, having prior certifications helps—especially in chainsaw safety (like BC Forest Safety basic chainsaw operator), wildfire basics (like S-100), or wilderness first aid. Familiarity with GPS, radios, and basic forest health assessment is also an asset. You’ll learn fast on the job, but the more prepared you are, the more responsibility you’ll earn early on.
ON THE JOB LEARNING
Chainsaw and brush saw operation Fire risk assessment Physical endurance and injury prevention Spatial awareness and field navigation Team communication and safety protocol Adaptability, problem-solving, and self-leadership
FUTURE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Many fuels crew members go on to become crew leaders, field supervisors, or wildfire technicians. With further training, you can move into prescribed burning, fire operations, wildfire mitigation planning, or ecosystem restoration. Others pivot toward forestry consulting or even start their own vegetation management crews. This role builds a foundation for nearly every branch of forest work.