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How do Hotshots work?
Hotshot Crews A hotshot crew consists of 20 specially-trained firefighters. They provide an organized, mobile, and skilled workforce for all phases of wildland fire management. Hotshot crews receive top-notch training, adhere to high physical standards, and have the ability to take on difficult assignments.
How do firefighters fight wildfires?
Firefighters control a fire’s spread (or put it out) by removing one of the three ingredients fire needs to burn: heat, oxygen, or fuel. They remove heat by applying water or fire retardant on the ground (using pumps or special wildland fire engines) or by air (using helicopters/airplanes).
How much do hotshots make during fire season?
As a federal worker, a Hotshot Firefighter earns an average of $13 per hour during off-season. The pay increases during the peak fire season where they work up to 16 hours, sometimes even extending up to 48-64 hours. They earn an average salary of $40,000 during a six-month season (including overtime and hazard pay).
Why do hotshots dig trenches?
Why we dig lines We do that by digging line — essentially a trench several feet wide — around the perimeter of the fire. “We’re supposed to remove any fuel that could burn within the fireline,” Washington wildland firefighter Ryan Dahl explained during a training exercise earlier this year.
Why do firefighters start wildfires?
Firefighters set backfires to stop the spread or change the direction of a wildfire. This is done by burning the fuel (grass, brush, trees, etc.) in front of a wildfire so it has nothing to burn when it reaches that point. Firefighters use a variety of tools to accomplish this.
What do you call firefighters who fight wildfires?
Smokejumpers – These highly-trained, experienced firefighters parachute from airplanes to provide quick initial attack on wildland fires in remote areas. USAJOBS keywords for these positions include Forestry Technician (Smokejumper), Forestry Technician.
What’s a hotshot?
A hotshot is someone who’s highly talented and successful in a particular field, especially someone who’s cocky about it. Hotshot can also be used as an adjective to describe such a person.
How often do Hotshots work?
Schedule. Wildland firefighters can work 14 days straight (called a roll) with 16-hour days and possibly up to three days travel before and after the official 14. Night shifts and longer shifts of 16-24 hours are possible depending on the fire and area you are in, but not super common. My record is 29 hours straight.