Firefighter Volunteering
As of August 6, 2026. For current status see Official Info above
Wildland firefighting requires certification.
Federal and state agencies do not accept walk-up volunteers on the fireline: everyone working an active fire needs a “red card” (Incident Qualification Card) earned through training, a physical fitness test, and field exercises. Showing up at a fire without this puts you and firefighters at risk.
Source: USDA Forest Service
If you want to become a wildland firefighter
- Local volunteer fire departmentApply directly with your city or county fire department. They provide training and the path to certification.Search "[your city] volunteer fire department".
- Oregon Department of ForestryState firefighting workforce and seasonal hiring information.www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/firefighting.aspx
- USDA Forest Service: Pacific Northwest fire hireFederal wildland fire jobs and hiring events for Region 6 (OR / WA).www.fs.usda.gov/r06/working-with-us/careers/fire-hire
- USAJOBSFederal job board: search "wildland firefighter" for open positions.www.usajobs.gov
Support roles that don't require fireline certification
- Dispatch and communications support at a local fire department.
- Fire prevention outreach and community education.
- Administrative and logistics support for fire agencies.
- Non-fireline disaster response volunteering through the American Red Cross or Volunteer Spokane.
Red Cross and Volunteer Spokane are listed in Ways to Help.
The fastest way to help right now without training is through the verified organizations.