Carson Hotshots

• 1970 - the Carson National Forest began researching and planning for a hotshot crew.
• The Carson Interagency Hotshot Crew (Carson IHC), often called the Carson Hotshots, was established in March of 1973 to stimulate the economy of Taos and the surrounding communities.
• The Carson Hotshots were originally based in El Rito, NM.
• 1973 - the crew's organization consisted of one permanent Hotshot Foreman position and two temporary Squad Boss positions, with the remaining personnel being temporary crewmembers.
• 1992 - the Foreman position was reclassified to Superintendent and a permanent seasonal Assistant Superintendent position was established.
• 1995 -  the Carson Hotshots were relocated to the Supervisor’s Office in Taos NM, where the crew presently operates.
• 1998 - two permanent seasonal Squad Boss positions were added.
• Currently, the crew has nine appointed positions: Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, three Squad Leaders and four Senior Firefighters.

Carson IHC places a strong emphasis on physical fitness and physical training. A Hotshot’s performance and personal safety depends on an individual’s ability to respond to rapidly changing situations in adverse conditions under extreme physical and emotional stress. As such, Carson IHC expects its employees to arrive in top physical condition, and challenges each employee to further develop their physical fitness and training programs.

Fitness Standard:

All IHC personnel shall meet the sponsor agency’s current Arduous Duty fitness standard for fire line personnel (Pack test). Meeting this fitness standard by the end of the Critical 80 Hour Training period will be considered a condition of continuing employment for all personnel on the crew. A medical examination will be required prior to employment.

Fitness Measure:

The Hotshot fitness measure is described in the “Standards For Interagency Hotshot Crew Operations.” These measurements are considered minimums, and are used to gauge the fitness level of each individual, as well as the performance of the crew as a whole. Each employee will be tested in these fitness categories on the first day of work.

• 1.5 mile run in a time of 10:35 or less
• 40 sit-ups in 60 seconds
• 25 pushups in 60 seconds
• Chin-ups, based on body weight:
  • More than 170 lbs. equals 4 chin-ups
  • 135-170 lbs. equals 5 chin-ups
  • 110- 13 5 lbs. equals 6 chin-ups
  • Less than 110 lbs. equals 7 chin-ups

Carson IHC trains as a crew throughout the fire season. Physical training activities include but are not limited to: 3-7 mile runs, full-gear hikes over varied/rugged terrain, strength training, and flexibility training.

Carson IHC provides an annual 80 hours of required training prior to availability for fire assignments.

This includes classroom training, field exercises, and intense physical training to emphasize and ensure crew safety awareness and effective crew operations.

Furthermore, Carson IHC strives to improve the credentials and skills of its employees by providing training with simulated exercises, on-the-job trainings, as well as NWCG certified courses.

The Carson IHC work center and government housing facility is located approximately 3 miles from the town plaza in Taos, N.M.  The work center is fully equipped to provide the working needs of an IHC and is independent from any adjacent ranger districts. The housing facility has 14 beds and is available to employees on a first come, first serve basis. The facility was completed in 2003, is fully furnished and overlooks the Town of Taos.

The Town of Taos is located at 7,000 feet on a high-desert plateau, surrounded by mountains including New Mexico’s highest mountain: Wheeler Peak at 13,161 ft. Approximately 10 miles to the west lies the majestic Rio Grande Gorge. Recreation abounds in the Taos area, with spectacular hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowmobiling, white-water rafting, fishing, hunting and OHV opportunities! 

Santa Fe is located 70 miles to the South and Albuquerque is 130 miles to the South. Learn more about Taos and the surrounding area at the Taos New Mexico Chamber of Commerce Official Website.

Carson Hotshots has nine permanent career positions with varying tours of duty. Vacancies are filled using the Southwestern Region’s centralized “Fire Hire” process. For vacancy information visit the Fire Hire website.   Applicants must be 18 years of age at the time of hire and provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Applications can be submitted via USAJOBS.

Vacancy announcements for temporary seasonal positions with the Carson Hotshots have been updated on the Forest Service’s  Region 3 website. Here is a link for the outreach and instructions on how to apply. 

NOTE: The GS-0462-05 Position falls under the Interagency Fire Program Management Standard’s Senior Firefighter category which requires minimum qualifications of:  FFT1 (Firefighter Type 1) and S-290 (Intermediate Fire Behavior)