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.
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We have expanded! Starting in 2026, we are now offering Recruitment Camp in two locations.
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Camp #1 Virginia Location-June 1-5, 2026
Camp #2 North Carolina Location- June 14th-19th, 2026
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How To Apply: Part 1
Applications will open January 16th, 2026. ​​Click here if you would like to be notified about future Recruitment Camps and/0r job opportunities.
How To Apply: Part 2
Email a resume to marina.foltz@usda.gov
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Please use the subject line:
Last Name, First Name 2026 Recruitment Camp Application
All resumes should be saved as a PDF, no more than 2 pages, and labeled as:
Last Name, First Name Resume
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For tips and tricks on how to write a resume for a federal job click here.
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Who: U.S. citizens interested in becoming entry-level federal wildland firefighters. Applicants must be at least 18 years old prior to traveling to camp in June of 2026.
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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: We now are offering camp in two locations. Camp#1 is located at the Augusta Interagency Hotshot Crew Base, Augusta Springs, VA. Camp #2 is located at the Mountain Training Facility in Newland, NC.
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How: This program is made possible through a partnership between the Southern Region, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, the National Forests of North Carolina, and the Augusta Interagency Hotshot Crew.
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.
