Everything I Carry in My Personal Backpack

Mar 4

*View from spike camp on an initial attack fire*

When you’re away for 14-21 days at a time, it helps to be prepared.

You’ll probably get to stop at a gas station or a Walmart, but I’ve definitely left the station in the am and then been out on a fire in the wilderness for the next 14 days glad I packed all my creature comforts and extras.

In no particular order of importance:

Phone charging cable, wall plug in, and dual cigarette lighter plug ins for phone
Rechargeable power bank to bring in case of spiking out
Headphones. I love these wireless ear buds
Aux cable for music and podcast listening capabilities. Not all our vehicles have Bluetooth
Any other charging cables you need for your devices
My work computer, work iPad, and charging cables
Extra snacks and beverage packets like instant coffee (I love Verve and Mount Hagen, but Starbucks Vias are good too) and electrolyte packets (Drip Drop, Liquid IV or Nuun are all great) to add to my line gear if we are spiking out
Reading material (I don’t get sick reading in vehicles so I go through a lot of books and magazines when I’m not taking my turn driving. Some people bring tablets, and I also read on the Kindle app on my phone)
Hoody and/or puffy jacket (I get cold easily and like to have it handy. You will buy crew shirts, hats, and hoodies at the beginning of the year. They are not provided to you for free)
Sunglasses of some sort. I love Goodr Circle Gs and Sunski Teras. They fit my small face, don’t slip down, are flexible, polarized, hold up really well and are only $25 (Circle Gs) and $74 (Teras). I got LASIK a few years ago and it was life changing, but before that I used prescription sunglasses (Contacts really irritated my eyes while working in smoke and ash, but some people use them no problem). I just changed into my prescription sunglasses anytime it was sunny and I didn’t had any problems. I had prescription pairs from Eyebuydirect.com that held up really well
Insulated coffee mug (I have a 14-oz Yeti Rambler, a 16-oz Klean Kanteen and a 16-oz Contigo Snap Lid that I rotate between depending on what’s clean and what I can find so I can get coffee to go when we are out and about and not need single use cups that I immediately throw away (And it keeps my coffee way hotter). There’s a million options out there
Giant water bottle (I use a 40-oz HydroFlask to stay hydrated while not working on a fire so I don’t deplete my water in my fire pack or have to use single use plastic water bottles. These are so rad. They will keep ice for 2 days if you are careful (There is nothing better than cold water when you are sweating and super hot on a fire)
Spare pens including a blue ink pen and a Sharpie (I’m always writing things down on the fireline and it’s important to have them. You’ll understand about blue ink when you sign your first fire related time sheet)
Cash and/or credit card (You’ll need money to buy your own food on the road. You will get reimbursed up to a certain amount when you return to your home station and fill out your Travel Voucher. Don’t worry about it now, but it is called your government per diem. I’ve been in tiny towns that don’t always take debit/credit cards so I like keeping about $50 in my bag in case of emergencies)
Driver’s license (Everyone takes turns driving and if you get pulled over for speeding or reckless driving or whatever YOU are held responsible and have to pay the ticket, not the government. Accidents are another story unless it’s blatantly your fault, then you may be liable for some damages
Point is: Drive carefully! Everyone else in the vehicle is relying on you to keep them safe. Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of wildland firefighter deaths)
Lunch box (I had a $6 one I found who knows where, linked to similar, that zips and is insulated. When we are working normal days, not on a fire, we always bring lunch from home because we are usually out in the field doing project work or could be headed to a fire
It’s important to have a sturdy container to keep your lunch in while it’s bouncing around in the back of the truck. Some crew members just use grocery store reusable bags, but I like that my beverages and snacks stay cold on hot days in my lunch bag). A friend gifted me this Patagonia cube and I use it with a small ice pack now because it is divided and packs down smaller when I’m not using it
Metal spork (useful for all foods, cleans easily and plastic utensils suck. I keep one in each fire bag)
Face sunscreen (I put it on every single day because skin cancer. Aveeno and CeraVe are great easy to find options). I personally use Beauty of Joseon SPF 40 Daily Relief Sunscreen. I love that it’s light and not greasy and blends in well even if my face is dirty
SPF chapstick (Same reason as above and fire is rough on your skin and makes your lips chap real bad)
I started out with a super basic black backpack with one zippered pocket that’s about 15 liters for my personal items in the truck. It was this specific bag for a visual reference. Black was important to me because things get dirty quickly in the back of a truck. Now my module issues a small truck bag to each crewmember
If you smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco or have a gum obsession make sure to have plenty to last you 14+ days
Ditto for any medications, supplements and/or vitamins you take daily