On July 2, we celebrate the second annual National Wildland Firefighter Day, which recognizes all wildland firefighters and support personnel. These hard-working, devoted individuals are the backbone of the wildland fire community. For many of them, there is no greater calling than serving the people and caring for the land they love. As public servants, their work is demanding, rigorous and dangerous. Despite longer fire years and expanding development in the wildland-urban interface, our firefighters and those who support them continue to meet the challenges of wildland firefighting with courage, grit and strength. This observation is part of the Week of Remembrance for Wildland Firefighters.

Tomorrow, Fire and Aviation Management Director, Jerry Perez, is traveling to Prescott, Arizona, to honor the 19 Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew members who died 10 years ago June 30 while fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire. The anniversary of their deaths is the first day of the Week of Remembrance, during which we commemorate and honor the lives of all fallen wildland firefighters. As we reflect on their passing, we renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety. Talking about and learning from what happened on past wildland fires has informed our approach to risk management and improved safety for wildland firefighters.  

For many years we have focused on physical safety in wildland firefighting, and we have seen tremendous improvement. But our Forest Service value of safety doesn’t just mean physical safety—it also means psychological and social safety. That’s why we continue to work with the Department of the Interior on a Joint Wildland Firefighter Behavioral Health Program that will address firefighter mental health needs year-round, including preventive health, acute rapid response and long-term post-traumatic stress care.

The Forest Service and the entire interagency community are committed to taking better care of wildland firefighters by working to solve the longstanding challenges that have caused them hardship. We are focused on improving pay and benefits, mental and physical health resources, housing, and work-life balance to reflect the important, dangerous work they do. I am proud to be part of an agency culture that supports firefighters both at work and at home.

During this Week of Remembrance and on National Wildland Firefighter Day, I ask you to join me in remembering not only those firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty, but also those who continue to serve each and every day.

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