BLM AFS’s training crew is perfect opportunity to launch a wildland firefighting career
Recruitment for the BLM Alaska Fire Service’s Type 2 North Star Fire Crew is open until April 1. Located in Fairbanks, Alaska the North Star Fire Crew is an entry level wildland fire hand crew that provides a pathway to become an AFS hotshot, smokejumper or fire specialist.
As a training crew, the program accepts applicants with little to no fire experience, provides red card certification in the first two weeks of critical training, and during a three-month season, teaches crew members the fundamental skills of wildfire suppression.
Although classified as a Type 2 hand crew, the North Star Fire Crew is trained and equipped to Interagency Hotshot Crew standards. Overhead positions on the crew are filled by current AFS hotshots with three to five years of wildfire experience.
Whether you are interested in seasonal work only, desire summer adventure in the Alaska wilderness, or want to pursue a career in wildland fire, the North Star Crew provides the opportunity to get your foot in the door. The three-month season – mid-May to mid-August – is ideal for college students. For those wishing to work a full season, the program coordinates placement to other crews including Chena and Midnight Sun hotshots.
Fire assignments are generally two-weeks in length and crewmembers must be fire-ready at any time day or night. Crewmembers are classified as casual employees (ADs), however a full season with the crew counts toward qualifying experience as regular seasonal employee.
The cost of living is significantly defrayed by AFS provided free housing and meals to North Star crewmembers. Both the dining hall and barracks are a short walk from the operations building where crewmembers report to work.
Fighting fire in Alaska is physically demanding and the program strongly encourages physical fitness. The work is outdoors in conditions of heat, cold, wet, wind, dust, and smoke. Crewmember can expect wilderness living conditions, camp-fire-cooked meals, tent camping and sixteen-hour work shifts. These wildfires are often quite remote and accessible only by plane, helicopter, or boat. Crewmembers are paid approximately $20 an hour during two-week fire assignments.
![A group photo of a crew of wildland firefighters either sitting or standing on tundra surrounded by spruce trees. A river and gently rolling hills are in the distant background.]()
The North Star Fire Crew working on a wildfire in Interior Alaska on Aug. 1, 2023. Photo courtesy BLM AFS North Star Fire Crew ![A group of blue shirted and dirty firefighters either sitting or standing in front of a white and yellow aircraft parked on a gravel air strip in remote Alaska.]()
The North Star Fire Crew at the air strip in Tanana, Alaska on July 24, 2023. Photo courtesy BLM AFS North Star Fire Crew. ![A line of firefighters walking along a ridge between blackened soil and a blue sky.]()
The North Star Fire Crew walking in a line in front of an area burned by the East Fork Fire near St. Mary’s on June 16, 2023. Photo courtesy the BLM AFS North Star Crew. ![Photo of a group of firefighters wearing bright orange hard hats gather in front of a column of smoke rising above a tundra fire.]()
The North Star Fire crew gathers while working on a the East Fork Fire near St. Mary’s in Alaska on June 16, 2023. Photo courtesy BLM AFS North Star Fire Crew ![Two orange helmeted firefighters standing on a makeshift dock while operating a red water pump set up on a lake.]()
Two North Star Fire Crew firefighters operate a water pump on a lake on July 4, 2023. Photo courtesy BLM AFS North Star Fire Crew.
Crewmembers are also paid at the same rate for the two-week training period that commences in mid-May. When not on fires, project work is performed on a volunteer, non-paid basis. Volunteer time varies with the severity of the fire season. In a busy fire such as 2019, the crew worked 64 days on fire and was paid 74 of its 90. In a low to average day, as experienced in 2021, the crew was on a fire 48 days and paid a total of 67 of its 90 days.
Project work generally involves fuels treatment work such as creating shaded fuel breaks or thinning stands of black space and stacking for later burning. Project work hours vary but typically do not exceed eight hours and crewmembers return to the AFS barracks at night.
Transportation to and from Fairbanks – at the beginning and end of season – must be provided by crewmembers. Once in Fairbanks, the program facilitates access to Fort Wainwright.
A pool of approximately 22 candidates will be instructed in basic firefighting skills and techniques; use and maintenance of chainsaws; hand tools; portable pumps; basic air operations; and safety. Daily physical training will occur throughout this training period. Upon completion of initial training, a performance-based selection will identify 16-18 regular crewmembers. The remaining candidates are used as alternatives to facilitate crew needs.
If this sounds like the job for you, download this fillable form and email it to blm_afs_northstars@blm.gov
For more information go to the AFS website or contact North Star Fire Crew leadership at blm_afs_northstars@blm.gov or (907)356-5665.
