July 2 will be the first “National Wildland Firefighter Day”

Dixie Fire at Greenville, CA, 2021
Firefighter at the Dixie Fire near Greenville, CA, 2021. Jay Walter.

On Tuesday June 28 at 11 a.m. MDT there will be an event live-streamed on facebook announcing the designation of July 2 as National Wildland Firefighter Day.

(Following is a news release from the National Interagency Fire Center:)


The newly established National Wildland Firefighter Day (July 2) recognizes the dedication of wildland firefighters, including federal, state, local, rural, contract, and support personnel. The selected date is especially meaningful as it occurs during the Week of Remembrance, which is held annually June 30 to July 6, and serves as an opportunity to renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety as we remember those who have fallen in the line of duty.

National Wildland Firefighter Day is designed to recognize the hard work and devotion of all wildland firefighters and support personnel who are the backbone of the wildland fire community. These men and women work to save lives, property, infrastructure and precious natural and cultural resources every year, and we are incredibly thankful for their professional skills and efforts.

The National Wildland Firefighter Day was also created to support The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) efforts to implement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for DOI and USDA Wildland Fire Management programs. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides significant funding to expand a workforce reform initiative designed to further reinforce wildland fire management staff.

Over the next five years, the Interior and Agriculture Departments will receive $8 billion to fund forest and land management activities, including $600 million for firefighter pay – providing about 1,500 additional firefighters and supporting President Biden’s commitment that no federal firefighter will make less than $15 an hour. The Law also provides for critical wildland firefighter workforce improvements, ranging from a new wildland firefighter classification series to mental health support, and improved compensation to additional training.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

17 thoughts on “July 2 will be the first “National Wildland Firefighter Day””

  1. Whoa, whoa! Aren’t we getting ahead of ourselves now? I haven’t seen a title change just yet so shouldn’t it be “National Forestry Technician” or “National Range Technician” day?

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  2. This base pay of $15 per hour is a bad joke, and the President bragging about it, makes it even worse.
    So, now they make what all the fast food companies already pay their empl9yees for “standing in front of a hamburger grill” while fire fighters stand in front of 100 ft flames! Go figure.
    Congress and OPM still could not bring themselves to at least bring fed pay up to counterparts on the line and in the face of death, each and every day they are on the Front lines.

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    1. OldGuy I agree Thank You for your post! I began my hotshot career as a GS-2 $5.48ph at Silver City IHC on The Gila NF plus tolerated hazing and horrible harrasment and both racial and gender discrimination throughout my entire 20+ year career that ended as SquadLeader at GS-6 Step8 after dedicating my whole career/life to Hotshots I was never allowed the opportunity to to be The Crew Boss. Wildland firefighters deserve a decent living wage healthcare and decent retirment opportunities the same as the Overhead recieve.

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  3. Continuing to bravely protect the land our troops fought for. Stay honest and true, God will grant a safe and watchful eye. Thank you Wildland Firefighters and supporting personnel.

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  4. Would love a t-shirt or something to bring awareness. Thank you for all you do.

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  5. I’d feel a whole lot better if the powers that be spent their time fixing the myriad of real issues we have rather than making these ridiculous hollow gestures. I don’t need nor do I want a pat on the back. Let’s quit wasting time on shit like this and get to the work of real reform.

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  6. Up in one of heavens taverns Teddy Roosevelt, Gifford Pinchot and our fallen wildlander’s are smiling!

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  7. So a GS-14 can feel good and get social media feels while serving me a hotdog (or a veggie pattie!) while I’m being forced to wear a Class A and not get any work done for half the day. Cool cool.

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  8. Fun Fact! July 2nd is also…
    -World UFO Day
    -Comic Sans Day
    -Freedom From Fear of Speaking Day
    -Hop A Park Day
    -I Forgot Day
    -International Cherry Pit Spitting Day
    -International Day of Cooperatives
    -Made In The USA Day
    -National Anisette Day
    -National Disco Day
    -Special Recreation for the Disabled Day
    -World Sports Journalists Day
    -Vince Staples Day
    -Saweetie Day

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