For Immediate Release: December 21, 2004 CA-N-05-19
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332

BLM PREPARING TO HIRE SUMMER FIREFIGHTERS

The U. S. Bureau of Land Management has begun planning for next summer's wildfire season in Northern California, and is now accepting applications for seasonal and career firefighting and fuels management positions.

Applications must be received over the Internet by Friday, Jan. 14. Available positions and instructions for filing electronic applications can be found at www.firejobs.doi.gov. Only electronically filed applications will be accepted.

"We have jobs open on our fire engine crews, on the helitack crew, the Diamond Mountain Hotshots, and on fuels reduction crews," said Jim Brown, the BLM's regional fire management officer. The BLM also expects to hire some fire lookouts.

BLM's Northern California fire crews work from fire stations in Susanville, West Valley (south of Alturas), Cedarville, and at the King Range National Conservation Area on the North Coast.

Fire crews work in a season that typically runs from June through mid October. They conduct hazardous fuels reduction projects and natural resource improvement work, and respond to wildfires throughout California. They can be called to fires anywhere in the United States if the need arises.

More information is available from BLM offices in Alturas, (530) 233-4666; Arcata, (707) 825-2300; Susanville (530) 257-5381; and Cedarville (530) 279-6101.

-BLM-

Northern California Support Team 2950 Riverside Drive Susanville, CA 96130