Southern Area Wildland Fire Recruitment Camp
The Southern Area Wildland Firefighter Recruitment Camp identifies and equips motivated individuals with the skills and readiness needed to excel. Since 2022, we have been committed to building a resilient and skilled federal wildland firefighting workforce dedicated to service and excellence.
Recruitment Camp Dates: June 2-6, 2025
2025 applications are open.
Fill out your application here
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Click here if you would like to be notified about future Recruitment Camps and/0r job opportunities.
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Who: U.S. citizens interested in becoming entry-level federal wildland firefighters. Applicants must be at least 18 years old by June 2025.
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What: A 40-hour PAID Recruitment Camp designed to prepare participants for careers in wildland firefighting. The program includes foundational firefighter training courses, daily physical conditioning, and expert guidance on navigating the federal job application process. Required pre-work includes IS-100, IS-700, S-190, and L-180, with coursework covering S-130.
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Where: Augusta Interagency Hotshot Crew Base, Augusta Springs, VA.
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How: This program is made possible through a partnership between the Southern Region, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, and the Augusta Interagency Hotshot Crew. Special recognition goes to the Eldorado National Forest for its groundbreaking efforts and dedication to setting the standard for this initiative.
Physical Training
The purpose of physical training during Recruitment Camp is to properly prepare campers to thrive as wildland firefighters. Physical fitness is a critical element of wildland fire suppression. This profession is mentally and physically demanding, and you don’t want to come in unprepared. We will run approximately 4 miles, hike wearing 45 lb. packs while gaining 1000’ in elevation over 1 mile, and do circuit training during camp. Elevated fitness leads to increased safety through fatigue reduction and injury prevention. Implementing a physical fitness plan and maintaining a high level of fitness will increase your work endurance and make you a more assertive and better firefighter.
