Columbine Wildland Fire Module

Crew Information

The Columbine Wildland Fire Module (WFM) is a ten-person, Type-1 crew based out of the Columbine Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest. Columbine WFM is a resource that responds to fires locally, regionally, and nationally, and provides self-sufficient, highly skilled fire professionals to assist with wildland and prescribed fire operations, fire behavior and fire effects monitoring, hazard fuels reduction, and a range of other fire and resource related missions. Columbine has existed as an “initial attack” module since the early 2000s. With support from Forest Leadership working to expand the San Juan National Forest’s managed and prescribed fire programs, Columbine was reborn as a Wildland Fire Module in 2013.

Columbine WFM’s season runs from early April through mid-October. The module typically assists the robust prescribed fire program on the San Juan National Forest during spring and fall burning windows. In addition, the module assists local interagency partners with initial attack and fire suppression efforts and fulfills its commitment to 90+ days of national availability during the summer months.

Wildland Fire Module Purpose

Wildland Fire Modules are highly skilled and versatile fire crews, purposed with providing an innovative, safe, highly mobile, logistically independent, and adaptable resource committed to achieving diverse fire and fuels management objectives. WFMs have a unique skill set, providing technical and ecological based expertise in the areas of wildfire response and prescribed fire such as: long-term planning, ignitions, holding, suppression, hazard fuels reduction, and fire effects monitoring. These skills emphasize managing fire to fulfill its natural or historic role and to meet resource and management objectives.

Crew Organization

*All Forest Service Region 2 Permanent positions are permanent full time (year round) appointments. Qualifications listed below reflect minimum qualifications requirements.

1 - Captain: GS-8/9 (RXB2, TFLD, ICT4)

1 - Assistant Captain: GS-7/8 (CRWB, FIRB, ICT5)

2 - Squad Leaders: GS-6 (FFT1, ICT5)

4 - Senior Firefighters: GS-4/5 (FFT1, S290)

2 - Seasonal Firefighters: GS-4/5 (FFT2, 90 Days fire experience)

Unmanned Aerial Systems Program

Columbine WFM’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program was founded in 2019. With the support of the San Juan NF, Columbine WFM manages a fleet that includes the Freefly Alta X, Freefly Astro, and Parrot Anafi USA. With these tools, the crew’s UAS pilots can provide aerial reconnaissance, infrared detection, and aerial ignitions to support wildland and prescribed fire operations. Crew members responsible for UAS undergo rigorous training and are required to achieve and maintain FAA and agency qualification. Candidates for UAS training are identified through fire experience, attention to detail, and commitment to safety.

Location

Columbine WFM is based out of the historic Vallecito Work Center in Vallecito, Colorado. Vallecito is located 30 miles from Durango, CO and 18 miles from the Columbine Ranger Station in Bayfield, CO. Office facilities, a warehouse/engine bay, and limited Government Housing are available at the work station. There is additional government housing located in Durango offered to module members on a case by case basis.

Three technicians stand with a drone — Columbine WFM launching a drone

Training

Columbine WFM places strong emphasis on career development through training, serving both individual development needs and crew succession planning. The season typically begins with two weeks of critical training. This training includes mandatory fire training and refreshers, module specific training, and additional local training for employee development and to meet agency needs.

As a module member, there are typically many opportunities for valuable training experience due to the diversity of assignments the module receives. Columbine WFM regularly provides FEMO and FOBS training opportunities as well as but not limited to: FFT1, ICT5/4, FAL1/2/3, FIRB/CRWB/ENGB/HEQB, HECM, UASP/Aerial Ignition, and various Command and General Staff positions.

Physical Fitness

Columbine WFM maintains a high level of physical fitness, critical to module morale, personal health, and safety standards. Module members participate in a minimum of 1 hour of Physical Training a day when not out on assignment, and are encouraged to meet the following minimum standards at the beginning of fire season: