| One of the effects of global warming has been | | | | if you don't have current certification for both of |
| that the summer months are becoming hotter | | | | them, then you need to sign up for a course right |
| and dryer. When you add in the fact that the | | | | away. |
| heat and windy conditions are lasting longer than in | | | | A good knowledge of outdoor skills is also needed |
| previous years, you now have a recipe for fire. In | | | | if you want to be a seasonal firefighter. You will |
| areas like California, these weather conditions | | | | need to know how to pitch a tent and cook over |
| mean that more firefighters are needed to | | | | a fire. Being able to tie a variety of knots will |
| combat larger, more frequent fires. | | | | come in hand, along with the ability to drive large |
| Bark beetles have infested areas of Southern | | | | vehicles. You will want to show the prospective |
| California and are contributing to the problem of | | | | employer that you have the skills necessary to |
| increased fires in that part of the world. The | | | | look after yourself out in the forest and that |
| beetles feed on coniferous trees and there is no | | | | fellow team members won't be distracted from |
| way to stop them from boring through the bark | | | | their duties to take care of you. |
| and causing enough damage to kill all the trees of | | | | Invest in a good pair of hiking boots and wear |
| this type in an area. Once the available food | | | | them enough so that they are well broken in |
| source has been exhausted, the bark beetles will | | | | before you actually start working. Being in |
| die off. | | | | excellent physical condition is also a necessity for |
| The trees killed by bark beetles remain standing | | | | seasonal firefighters. You need to be able to lift |
| but are robbed of their moisture. Dry trees | | | | heavy objects and hike over uneven terrain while |
| provide excellent fuel for wildfires. If living trees | | | | carrying a well-loaded backpack (at least 45 |
| are located close by, they will also become fuel | | | | pounds). For some jobs, you will be expected to |
| for fires that ravage the area every year. | | | | carry your gear with you and live outside, possibly |
| If working as a seasonal firefighter appeals to | | | | for several weeks, while other opportunities mean |
| you, there is no one place to apply for available | | | | that you will be staying at a camp for some time. |
| positions. Applying through the state employment | | | | Either way, the comforts that most of us take |
| office is one way to get work. The National | | | | for granted, like showering on a regular basis, will |
| Forest Service may hire directly or through the | | | | not be available to you until you come back to |
| state employment office. The key to finding a | | | | civilization. |
| position is to do your homework and contact the | | | | A seasonal firefighter can be assigned a number |
| agencies you are interested in working for to find | | | | of duties as part of their job description. You may |
| out what their hiring practices are. Keep in mind | | | | be asked to build a fire-line or help with slash |
| that they may not know early in the year what | | | | burning. Cleaning and maintaining equipment and |
| their needs will be for the fire season, so you | | | | tools is also part of the job. |
| may need to be patient about finding out what | | | | If you are attracted to a summer job opportunity |
| positions will become available. | | | | where you will work hard and spend time out of |
| It doesn't hurt to brush up on the skills you will | | | | doors in all kinds of conditions, then becoming a |
| need on the job before you start looking for | | | | seasonal firefighter may be the right choice for |
| work. Having First Aid and CPR training is essential; | | | | you. |