Utah Fire Information
The BLM Utah Fire and Aviation Management Program is responsible for fire suppression, hazardous fuels reduction projects, fostering fire-adapted and resilient communities, training local fire departments, providing excess equipment to cooperators, and fire rehabilitation on nearly 23 million acres of public lands in Utah. Each year, Utah averages over 1,100 wildfires that collectively burn more than 160,000 acres. Our mission is to provide safe and effective firefighting to protect Utah's communities and landscapes.
Program Performance & Reports
Want to see the data behind the season? Explore our annual reports to see how suppression strategies and proactive fuels treatments shaped fire behavior over the last year
2023 Annual Report (9.7 MB):
Following a record snowpack and a 25% increase in summer rainfall, Utah experienced one of the least active fire seasons in recorded history
2024 Annual Report (11.8 MB):
Quick and effective response capabilities kept the total acres burned well below the five-year average, even as Utah experienced more individual fire starts than typical
2025 Annual Report (9.7 MB):
Despite the state facing its highest fire activity since 2020, BLM-managed lands remained notably safe, accounting for only 8% of Utah's total acres burned this year
Program Organization
The Utah Fire and Aviation Management Program is organized into three geographic zones: the West Desert District Fire Program, the Desert Rivers Fire Management Unit, and the Color Country and Paria River Fire Management Unit. Each zone is supported by dedicated fire and aviation staff, with statewide program coordination and oversight based in the BLM Utah State Office in Salt Lake City.
Fire Positions
Firefighting is an exciting career! Interested in applying for a firefighting position? Applications for summer seasonal work are accepted typically in November-January. See our current vacancies below. You can find current fire positions using the drop down menu below or checking USAJOBS, the official Federal Government's employment site.
Search Tips:
- If you know the announcement number of the vacancy you want to apply to, enter it in the Keyword Search box then select the Search button.
- USAJOBS also provides an opportunity to choose criteria to find the types of jobs you are interested in and will notify you with an email when that type of job is open and accepting applications. When you are logged into My Account on USAJOBS, select Saved Searches.
Note: Always verify the closing dates in the USAJOBS announcement.
- FUELS & PREVENTION POSITIONS
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- SUPPRESSION & PREPAREDNESS POSITIONS
Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Engine Captain)
Announcement Number: WFSDHA-26-12884952-CGR2
Position Information: Directs a small engine crew in suppression operations, including fireline construction, burnout, and mop-up. Implements tactical strategies based on fire behavior and safety, while performing administrative lead duties.
Appointment Type: Permanent seasonal. You will be in pay status for at least 6 months; but less than 12 months in a calendar year. When work/funds are unavailable, you will be placed in non-pay status.
Location(s): Moab, Richfield, Saint George, Vernal, & Vernon
Pay Scale & Grade: GW-0456-7
Open Period: 2/10/2026 - 2/24/2026
Wildland Firefighter (Assistant Engine Captain)
Announcement Number: WFSDHA-26-12884569-CGR2
Position Information: Directs a small engine crew in suppression operations, including fireline construction, burnout, and mop-up. Implements tactical strategies based on fire behavior and safety, while performing administrative lead duties such as timekeeping and record management.
Appointment Type: Permanent
Location(s): Kanab
Pay Scale & Grade: GW-0456-5/6/7
Open Period: 2/10/2026 - 2/24/2026
Wildland Firefighter (Hotshot Squad Boss)
Announcement Number: WFSDHA-26-12884537-CGR2
Position Information: Directs a small hotshot crew in suppression operations, including fireline construction, burnout, and mop-up. Implements tactical strategies based on fire behavior and safety, while managing fuels projects such as prescribed fire and mechanical treatments.
Appointment Type: Permanent seasonal. You will be in pay status for at least 6 months; but less than 12 months in a calendar year. When work/funds are unavailable, you will be placed in non-pay status.
Location(s): Salt Lake City
Pay Scale & Grade: GW-0456-5/6/7
Open Period: 2/10/2026 - 2/24/2026
Wildland Firefighter (Helitack Squad Boss)
Announcement Number: WFSDHA-26-12884623-CGR2
Position Information: Directs helicopter operations and leads a small helitack crew in suppression duties, including fireline construction and burnout. Implements tactical strategies based on fire behavior and safety, while managing fuels projects such as prescribed fire and mechanical treatments.
Appointment Type: Permanent seasonal. You will be in pay status for at least 6 months; but less than 12 months in a calendar year. When work/funds are unavailable, you will be placed in non-pay status.
Location(s): Salt Lake City
Pay Scale & Grade: GW-0456-5/6/7
Open Period: 2/10/2026 - 2/24/2026
Announcement Number: WFSDHA-26-12885497-CGR2
Position Information: Serves as a senior wildland firefighter and member of fuels, handcrew, hotshot, engine, helitack, or wildland fire module crews. Performs fireline activities including line construction, hose layout, pump operations, and mop-up. Gathers weather, topography, and fire behavior data during incidents, participates in fuels management and prescribed fires, and may serve as a situational leader. Responsible for the operation and maintenance of specialized wildland fire equipment.
Appointment Type: Permanent seasonal. You will be in pay status for at least 6 months, but less than 12 months in a calendar year. When work/funds are unavailable, you will be placed in non-pay status.
Location(s): Cedar City, Moab, Richfield, Saint George, Salt Lake City, & Vernal
Pay Scale & Grade: GW-0456-4/6
Open Period: 2/12/2026 – 2/26/2026
Wildland Firefighter (Apprentice)
Announcement Number: WFSDHA-26-12893077-BM
Position Information: Serves as a trained wildland firefighter on an engine, hand crew, or prescribed fire crew. Performs suppression and management functions, including line construction, hose layout, pump operations, and mop-up. Participants complete 3,000 hours of paid work experience, attend a Wildland Fire Training Academy, and receive specialized training in fire behavior and safety to develop journey-level status and leadership skills.
Appointment Type: Permanent seasonal. You will be in pay status for at least 6 months; but less than 12 months in a calendar year. When work/funds are unavailable, you will be placed in non-pay status.
Location(s): Moab, Monticello, Price, & Vernal
Pay Scale & Grade: GW-0456-3/4/5
Open Period: 2/19/2026 – 3/05/2026
- DISPATCH POSITIONS
Logistics Management Specialist (Dispatch Center Manager)
Announcement Number: FAMP-26-12876075-AE
Position Information: Supervise the mobilization, demobilization, and reassignment of wildland fire suppression resources.
Appointment Type: Permanent
Location(s): Cedar City
Pay Scale & Grade: GW-0346-11
Open Period: 2/2/2026 - 2/24/2026
Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)
Announcement Number: WFSDHA-26-12885481-CGR2
Position Information: Determines appropriate resource responses to incidents and field requests while processing and interpreting weather data. Anticipates suppression needs, determines resource allocation, and operates dispatch telecommunications systems and fire-related software. Reviews internal operating procedures, recommends improvements, and updates mobilization guides. Receives fire reports, determines locations and land status, and maintains current fire information.
Appointment Type: Permanent seasonal. You will be in pay status for at least 6 months; but less than 12 months in a calendar year. When work/funds are unavailable, you will be placed in non-pay status.
Location(s): Draper, Price, & Vernal
Pay Scale & Grade: GW-0462-6/7
Open Period: 2/12/2026 – 2/26/2026
Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)
Announcement Number: WFSDHA-26-12890920-CGR2
Position Information: Receives fire reports and determines location and land status to dispatch personnel, equipment, aircraft, and supplies. Maintains resource status and tracking systems, inputs data into fire-related computer applications, and monitors radio communications and conversation logs. Gathers data for briefings and provides critical information to supervisors and fire management personnel.
Appointment Type: Permanent seasonal. You will be in pay status for at least 6 months; but less than 12 months in a calendar year. When work/funds are unavailable, you will be placed in non-pay status.
Location(s): Draper, Price, & Vernal
Pay Scale & Grade: GW-0462-4/5
Open Period: 2/19/2026 – 3/05/2026
- ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS
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- LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
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- AVIATION POSITIONS
Wildland Firefighter (Helitack Squad Boss)
Announcement Number: WFSDHA-26-12884623-CGR2
Position Information: Directs helicopter operations and leads a small helitack crew in suppression duties, including fireline construction and burnout. Implements tactical strategies based on fire behavior and safety, while managing fuels projects such as prescribed fire and mechanical treatments.
Appointment Type: Permanent seasonal. You will be in pay status for at least 6 months; but less than 12 months in a calendar year. When work/funds are unavailable, you will be placed in non-pay status.
Location(s): Salt Lake City
Pay Scale & Grade: GW-0456-5/6/7
Open Period: 2/10/2026 - 2/24/2026
- STUDENT TRAINEES
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Contact Us: [email protected]