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Fire
About Fire and Aviation Management
In the Southwest and across the country, fire's biological effects profoundly affect forests and grasslands. Prescribed fire is used as an important natural process in a variety of forest, brush, and prairie ecosystems. Without periodic, low-intensity fires, these ecosystems undergo rapid changes in species composition and structure that, in turn, can lead to catastrophic wildfire, or insect and disease outbreak. Unwanted, catastrophic wildfires must be fought. Aggressive fire suppression must remain an essential cornerstone of the Forest Service mission. We must maintain and strengthen our firefighting capability because of the increasing value of national forest resources and growing private development in the wildland-urban interface.
The Heart of a Firefighter
Confronting the Wildfire Crisis in the Southwest
In 2022, the Forest Service launched a 10-year strategy to address the wildfire crisis across the west. The Wildfire Crisis Strategy aims to dramatically increase fuels and forest health treatments, including on four designated landscapes in Arizona and New Mexico. Learn More.
Job Opportunities
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Permanent Fire and Aviation Management Jobs
The USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region will soon be hiring permanent fire and aviation management positions. Help protect our nation's resources for generations to come! Learn about upcoming events and training.
Learn More About the Forest Service
The USDA Forest Service is the leading federal agency in natural resource conservation. Every day we work to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the country’s 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands. How does the Forest Service help protect our nation's resources for generations to come? Learn more!
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Healthier Forests
Wildfires have been growing in size, duration, and destructivity over the past 20 years. In response, the Forest Service is establishing a strategy for working with partners to dramatically increase forest health treatments.
Features
New USDA Forest Service Helicopter Base Supports Wildfire Crisis Strategy
The USDA Forest Service now has another critical tool to help protect communities and lands impacted by the growing threat of wildfires: A new, state-of-the-art helicopter base in Tonto National Forest in Arizona.
Key Contacts
R3 Permanent Fire Hire
Point of Contact
- Tobe Haught
Regional Fire Talent
Acquisition Lead
SM.FS.r3famwfdev@usda.gov
R3 Employee Development
Point of Contact
- Kevin Ditmanson
Regional Employee
Training & Development
Program Lead
SM.FS.r3famwfdev@usda.gov
R3 Incident Qualifications and Certification Point of Contact
- Shannon McCloskey
ASC-RO Unit Fire
Training Officer
Regional IQCS Administrator
SM.FS.r3famwfdev@usda.gov
R3 Outreach Point of Contact
- Shane Baca
Southwestern Region
Fire, Fuels, and Aviation Management
Outreach & Retention Division
SM.FS.r3famwfdev@usda.gov
Workforce Development and Talent Management
- Ken Watkins
R3 Assistant Director Workforce Development
SM.FS.r3famwfdev@usda.gov
Southwest Engine Academy
Aaron Hulburd
SWEA Coordinator