About
Wildland Fire 101 exists to demystify the federal wildland firefighter hiring process through comprehensive guides and insider knowledge. Whether you're exploring this career for the first time, struggling with the complex application system, or looking to advance in the field, I want to make this career path accessible to everyone who wants to explore it.
As a kid, it never occurred to me that I could do this job.
Growing up in Boulder, Colorado, the only firefighters I knew about were huge dudes with mustaches who showed up when the school fire alarms went off. I didn't see myself reflected in that image. It wasn't until 2007 when I met a hotshot in Jackson, Wyoming, (where I was using my journalism degree as an unpaid intern at Alpinist magazine) that I discovered wildland firefighting existed as a career.
I was intrigued by the work and the lifestyle —work intensely during fire season, then ski all winter— and asked him a million questions. I loved challenging myself climbing, backpacking, and long-distance trail running. But the idea of running a chainsaw and carrying a heavy pack in the woods didn’t feel like a possibility for me.
With guidance, courage, and a little luck, I took the leap.
In the next few years later I bounced around between various jobs (freelance writer, flagger, cellar hand, nanny, farm hand, server, line cook, and pastry chef to name a few). I was aimless and ready for a change.
But with no training or fire experience, I had no idea how to break in to this job that I wanted to try. Thankfully, two friends who were already hotshots guided me through the confusing application process for fire season 2012.
I applied to around fifty jobs. Two got back to me. Only one offered me a job. I later learned that I was hired because I mentioned a long-distance backpacking trip I had done in my resume. They told me, "If you like being outside and can do hard stuff—we can teach you to fight fire." Fourteen seasons later and wildland fire has become the defining adventure of my life.
I created Wildland Fire 101 in 2017 to help others find their way.
I wanted to decode the jargon and create the resources I wish existed when I was starting out.
After experiencing firsthand how crucial insider support was to my success, I wanted to pay it forward. As I moved to the hiring side of wildland fire, I noticed clear patterns in what made applications stand out and what got some people immediately disqualified. The federal hiring system is notoriously complex. It can feel impossible to navigate without guidance.
I found myself mentoring friends and colleagues from my volunteer structure department who wanted to get into wildland, sitting at computers helping with resumes and job applications. In 2017, I decided to combine my love of writing with this unofficial mentoring role and created Wildland Fire 101, a public resource for aspiring firefighters—especially those who don’t see themselves represented.
In the press
Check out these podcast conversations and articles where I dive deeper into my experiences as a wildland firefighter, the challenges women face in fire, and why I'm passionate about helping others join this field. (Note: Wildland Fire 101 was previously called The 5-Foot Firefighter so you’ll see me referred to that way!)
Looking for more personalized guidiance?
Check out my one-on-one resume review and coaching sessions.