Summer has arrived, and with it, wildfire season. As temperatures rise and vegetation dries out, wildland firefighters face more than just physical demands. Success on the frontlines requires strategic preparation, continuous training, and a commitment to educating your community. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a first-year rookie, here are three ways to ensure your team is ready for the challenges this season will bring.
Check Your Gear and Equipment
Here’s a hard truth: you're only as effective as the tools you depend on. During wildfire season, that truth is more important than ever. With crews already on the line and conditions intensifying, regular equipment inspections aren’t just important, they're critical to your team’s safety and success.
Now is the time to double down on assessing every piece of gear. Though the off-season is the ideal time to perform equipment inspection, mid-season, proactive maintenance can prevent failures that put lives and operations at risk.
Key items to inspect include:
Vehicles and water delivery systems
Engines, tenders, and support vehicles take a beating. Regular checks help prevent breakdowns that can slow down response time. Check your engines, including oil, coolant, and belts. Look for worn tread or low pressure in tires and remember to seal any water tanks or fittings.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
PPE protects you from heat, flames, and debris. If it's damaged or worn out, it puts you at risk. Check your clothing for rips or burns, as well as gloves, boots, and helmets for signs of distress.
Forestry hose and hose fittings
Your hose is your lifeline, so make sure it’s ready to perform! Regularly inspect for cuts, wear, or leaks, and ensure couplings are secure. Any signs of potential malfunction should be repaired or replaced immediately.
Continue to Train
Training doesn’t stop once wildfire season begins. It just changes. During busy shifts, focus on quick refreshers of key skills like safety protocols, fire shelter use, and communication. Stay aware of changing fire conditions, including humidity levels and wind speed, and practice “what-if” scenarios with your crew. When there’s downtime, use it to learn from others or review important tactics. Keeping your body ready with light stretching and staying hydrated is just as important to avoid injury.
After each shift, spend a few minutes reviewing what went well and what could improve. These quick discussions help everyone learn from experience and work better as a team. Staying sharp mentally and physically throughout the season will help keep you and your crew safe.
Engage and Educate Your Community
Wildfire prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Engaging your community to raise awareness about how wildfires start and how to prepare for them is essential. Start your outreach by identifying the main causes of wildfires in your area and focusing your initial messages on these specific risks. Common summer ignition sources include:
Burning debris
Careless use of equipment like mowers or tractors
Unattended campfires
Intentional fire setting
Fireworks
By addressing these key causes, you can help your community understand where to be extra careful and how to prevent wildfires before they begin.
Share simple prevention tips, such as keeping gutters free of flammable debris and creating a defensible space by clearing vegetation and combustible materials at least 30 feet around homes. Remind people to trim trees, remove dead plants, and keep grass short to reduce fire fuel.
*SPECIAL NOTE: As the 4th of July weekend approaches, now is also a great time to remind your community about the dangers of fireworks and sparklers. Fireworks can easily ignite dry grass and vegetation, and sparklers burn at temperatures over 1,200 degrees, which is hot enough to cause third-degree burns. Help keep everyone safe by opting for alternatives like glow sticks or enjoying a professional fireworks show instead.
To spread your prevention messages, alerts, and helpful resources, social media is a powerful tool. The U.S. Fire Administration offers free social media materials that can support your outreach efforts and help reach a wider audience.
Final Thoughts
Wildfire season is here, and the challenges it brings are real. Success depends on consistent preparation, smart training, and strong community engagement. Checking your gear, sharpening your skills, and helping others understand how to prevent fires all play a part in keeping people and property safe this summer.
Happy National Wildland Firefighter Day!