Fire Management

Year round we work to reduce the risks severe wildfires pose to people, communities, firefighter safety and the environment through programs aimed at prevention, preparedness and fuels reduction. Our firefighting staff is one of the largest federal firefighting forces in the country and we value our strong partnerships with our local, state, and federal fire partners.

Our combined efforts are important to the long-term health of the land with its unique biological and water resources. We encourage all citizens to better understand this precious natural environment and how to protect it and keep ourselves safe.

The world of fire suppression is changing. Fire seasons are longer and fire behavior often more extreme. The primary reasons for these changes are weather (climate change), wood (abundance of fuels) and the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) (structures and communities adjacent and within the forest boundary).

 

  • Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program

    A community surrounded by the forest

    The Community Wildfire Defense Program, or (CWDG), is intended to help at-risk local communities and Tribes; plan for and reduce the risk of wildfire.

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Fire Related Publications

  • ON FIRE: The Report of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission

    This image represents the changing face of fire - an urban conflagration in an atypical month. The Marshall Fire burned over 1,000 homes on the outskirts of Boulder, Colorado in December, 2021. Pushed by high winds and fueled by dry vegetation in addition to residential structures, the wildfire resulted in the evacuation of over 37,500 residents, the closure of Route 36, and two fatalities. By Patrick Cullis, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    The wildfire crisis in the United States is urgent, severe, and far reaching. Wildfire is no longer simply a land management problem, nor is it isolated to certain regions or geographies.

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  • Confronting the Wildfire Crisis: Second Landscapes

    Cover of a publication titled

    The start of fiscal year 2023 saw the selection of 11 new landscapes targeted for treatments under the Wildfire Crisis Strategy. This sixth installment of "Confronting the Wildfire Crisis" details those landscapes and discusses the funding sources that are being used to protect our communities, infrastructure, and natural resources.

    Fire and Safety Plan Update

  • Confronting the Wildfire Crisis: Initial Landscapes

    Cover of a publication titled

    In 2022, the Forest Service and our partners identified 10 initial landscapes to receive funding as part of the new Wildfire Crisis Strategy. This fourth installment of "Confronting the Wildfire Crisis" offers profiles on each landscape and outlines the decision process that led to choosing these areas.

    Fire and Safety Plan

  • Confronting the Wildfire Crisis: A Chronicle

    Cover of a publication title

    The Forest Service and other land management agencies have long worked together to manage a growing wildfire crisis. This document, the third installment of "Confronting the Wildfire Crisis," details how those efforts have evolved from the 1990s towards the National Cohesive Strategy in the 2010s and into the present strategy of the 2020s.

    Fire and Safety Chronicle

  • Confronting the Wildfire Crisis: Implementation Plan

    Cover of a publication titled

    The implementation of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy details how the Forest Service will work with our partners to identify projects and begin work to mitigate the wildfire crisis. It is the second installment of "Confronting the Wildfire Crisis."

    Fire and Safety Implementation Plan

  • Major Forest Insect and Disease Conditions in the United States: 2021

    Cover of a publication titled Major Forest Insect and Disease Conditions in the United States: 2021

    This annual report details impacts on forests from various insects and diseases. Compiled by Forest Health Protection staff, the report contains maps of damage (mortality and defoliation) and discusses recent trends in monitoring and management of forest pests.

    Forest Insect and Disease Annual Report: 2021

  • National Prescribed Fire Resource Mobilization Strategy

    Cover of a publication titled

    This strategy details how the Forest Service can increase the scale of using prescribed fire. By using established knowledge and practices for wildland fire suppression, the agency will create regional teams to coordinate landscape-scale prescribed fires. Prescribed fire is a critical tool in efforts to reduce wildfire risk and the harm it can cause to people, infrastructure, and natural resources.

    Rx-Fire-Strategy

  • Wildland Fire Metareview

    Hotshots lead a trailing bulldozer with orange smoke filled sky in the background

    The primary learning from the metareview process is hosted in three formats: an interactive PDF, an audiobook, and a set of StoryMaps. The content within each platform is the same. However, each product provides a different avenue for learning. Some folks may be readers, others may enjoy a more visual experience. Hopefully we have a product that suits your learning preference and needs. Below is a link to access them.

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Employment

  • Join the Firefighting Force

    Wildland firefighter uses a drip torch

    Each year we hire permanent wildland fire positions during our Fire Hire event, usually in September or early October. Explore opportunities to work with us as a part of our wildland firefighting community. Other fire positions can include seasonal and on call basis with handcrews. There are also opportunities as as a wildland firefighter apprentice.

    Recruitment and Hiring

 

Valuable Resources

  • Osborne Firefinder

    Original Osborne firefinder

    William Bushnell "Bush" Osborne, Jr., as a young graduate forester, went to work for the U.S. Forest Service in 1909 on the Oregon National Forest at Mount Hood. In 1911 he invented an alidade he called the "firefinder" and tested in at 8 locations in Oregon and SW Washington.

    More Facts on the Firefinder

  • Federal Interagency Communication Center

    Federal Interagency Communication Center Logo

    The Federal Interagency Communication Center (FICC) was established in May 1985 following a reciprocal agreement between the United States Forest Service (USFS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS), and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to consolidate dispatching services.

    FICC provides 24hr dispatching, 365 days a year for Fire, Law Enforcement, Recreation, Resources and Administrative capacities for the member agencies. The area served by FICC covers approximately 30 Million Acres in five separate counties, reaching to the Arizona, Nevada and Mexico Borders.

     

  • InciWeb - Incident Information System and Fire Information

    InciWeb Logo

    In the event of a significant wildland fire on the San Bernardino National Forest, fire information can be obtained by either calling our fire information line at (909) 383-5688 or by visiting the national fire information website: inciweb.wildfire.gov/

  • Smokey Bear and Model T Requests

    Smokey Bear riding in a 1920'S Ford Model T & waving to the crowd.

    The San Bernardino National Forest fire prevention program is available to participate in local events looking to help spread wildfire awareness and education. The program has the ability to provide Smokey Bear along with fire patrol personnel within and adjacent to the forest and can also set up a staffed fire information booth. We also have a fully operational 1924 Model T Fire Patrol vehicle that can be set up as a static display or take part in parades.

    Request Smokey Bear & Model T

  • Burned Area Emergency Response

    Burn Area Emergency Response Logo

    The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program addresses these situations with the goal of protecting life, property, water quality, and deteriorated ecosystems from further damage after the fire is out. Concern for possible post-fire effects on fish, wildlife, archeological sites and endangered species is often a primary consideration in the development of a BAER plan.

  • San Bernardino Air Base

    A imagea of an air tanker speeding down the runway

    San Bernardino International Airport has been home to the US Forest Service Tanker base for the past 26 years.

    Air Tanker Base

San Bernardino National Forest Hot Shot History

  • Del Rosa Hotshots Patch Logo

    Del Rosa Hotshots History

    Originally the crew was made up of two separate crews consisting of 15 people each, one Superintendent, one Assistant Superintendent and two Crew Forman for a total of thirty-two personnel, and several support personnel (cooks and camp help). The crew adopted its name from the small community that lies below the work center and Del Rosa Boulevard that leads to the Hot Shot camp from Hwy 30 to the west, the work center is now considered to be in the city limits of San Bernardino.

    • By Kerry Greene
    • BDF
    • Fire
    • Hotshots
  • Image of a green and gold circular embroidered patch with three mountains in the center

    Mill Creek Hotshots History

    The crew was established in 1974 at the Mill Creek Ranger Station on the San Gorgonio Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest. The Mill Creek Hotshots appeared and disappeared several times during the next eight years with their first run from 1975 through 1978 under Superintendent Mike Goldenbee and foremen Richard Keebaugh and Dave Dooley.

    • By Kerry Greene
    • BDF
    • Fire
    • Hotshots
  • Image of a round green and gold embroidered patch

    Vista Grande Hotshots History

    In 1974, Region 5 Fire Management added a second Hotshot crew on the San Bernardino National Forest. The location chosen was Vista Grande Guard Station on the San Jacinto Ranger District. Vista Grande is located near the small mountain community of Idyllwild, California.

    • By Kerry Greene
    • BDF
    • Fire
    • Hotshots

Fire Information

  • Wildland Fire Information and Technology (WFIT) - Firefighter looking at raging burning forest in the background

    Wildland Fire Information and Technology (WFIT)

    The purpose of Wildland Fire Information and Technology (WFIT) is to promote interagency collaboration in the support of the business mission of the Wildland Fire Program. WFIT provides information and technology services and functions independent of agency or user location, thus providing a new level of flexible and adaptable technology for the users in the field.

    • National
    • Fire
    • Fire Information
  • Image of a round green and gold embroidered patch

    Western Regional Strategy Committee eNewsletters

    Check out the latest and archived Western Regional Strategy Committee eNewsletters on their website, as well other information related to the Western Region and the Cohesive Strategy.

    • Western Region
    • Fire
  • Front Cover of The National Strategy: The Final Phase in the Development of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy

    The National Strategy: The Final Phase in the Development of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy

    The National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy is a strategic push to work collaboratively among all stakeholders and across all landscapes, using best science, to make meaningful progress towards the three goals:

    1. Resilient Landscapes
    2. Fire Adapted Communities
    3. Safe and Effective Wildfire Response

     

    • National
    • Fire

Inside the FS - From the Chief's Desk

  • A Notice to the Public About Prescribed Burning [VIDEO]

    The Pacific Southwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service, which includes the San Bernardino National Forest, is moving forward with prescribed fire operations as conditions and resources permit. Previously, the region had postponed prescribed fires to reduce potential smoke impacts to communities while public health officials considered the interactions of smoke with COVID-19 effects; and to ensure our emergency response resources were putting into place proper procedures to mitigate COVID-19 risks.

    Regional Forester Randy Moore stated, “To date we have accomplished a lot of important fuels reduction projects this year with our partners to protect communities and reduce the risks of catastrophic wildland fires. We will continue to prioritize the health and safety of communities and firefighters during this global and national emergency, and will also conduct prescribed fire where feasible as an important tool to protect communities and natural resources as we prepare for the upcoming peak fire season.” Prescribed fire is an important tool in the protection of communities and forests from large scale wildfire. Continuing our service to you while doing our part to address the COVID-19 Pandemic is our priority.

  • Guest column: Taking a deep dive into fire culture

    As Forest Service employees, we desire a work environment where everyone has a sense of belonging and is treated with dignity and respect. We invest in relationships with one another and the public we serve. We expect to work in a safe, harassment free, productive and resilient environment.

    The unique structure and character of our wildland firefighting organizational culture influences nearly every aspect of wildland firefighting today, including the persistence of harassment and discrimination. While our culture may be unique, our challenges are not...

  • 90-day prescribed fire program review

    As most of you have likely heard, escaped prescribed fires this spring have drawn national attention. While I understand that escapes are rare, it is imperative that we recognize changed conditions on the ground. Effects of climate change and mega-droughts in many parts of the country are causing both wildfires and prescribed fires to behave in ways we have never seen before, a reality that will shape how we adapt as an organization. Our ability and commitment to change when deemed necessary is fundamental as a learning organization...

More from the Chief's Desk...

  • From the Chief's Desk: Reflections on the Week of Remembrance and National Wildland Firefighter Day

    When I started my career with the Forest Service, we didn’t have a week dedicated to remembering our fallen wildland firefighters. I am proud to stand alongside our wildland fire partners in declaring July 2 as National Wildland Firefighter Day, part of this Week of Remembrance. This day is in recognition of the dedication and outstanding work done by our firefighters and support personnel throughout the year...

  • Intertribal roundtable on confronting the wildfire crisis

    The growing wildfire crisis across the western U.S. has created the need for a new land management strategy that is designed to support strategic management and restoration of millions of high-risk areas to protect forest health, watershed function and human infrastructure. The new strategy necessitates approaching ongoing challenges in partnership with others and recognizing the importance of local knowledge in our efforts. As an agency, we recognize the critical role that tribal peoples and indigenous traditional ecological knowledge have in restoring fire-adapted landscapes...

  • From the Chief's Desk: Climate resilience and carbon stewardship on national forests and grasslands [VIDEO]

    In April, President Biden released an executive order that goes to the heart of what we are all about: sustaining the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of people. This week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack gave more specificity to that direction in a just-released memo he introduced at the 1t.org summit, Climate Resilience and Carbon Stewardship of America’s National Forests and Grasslands...

  • From the Chief’s Desk: Increased payments for firefighters achieved

    Today is a historic day for the Forest Service. It is a day to celebrate countless hours of advocacy, negotiation, hard work and downright grit translating into a promise delivered. By the end of June 2022, USDA Forest Service wildland firefighters on the roles prior to May 21, 2022, will begin seeing additional pay, which is retroactive to October 1, 2021. The remaining wildland firefighters will begin seeing additional pay between early July and August 2022. This pay will be a portion of an additional $20,000 per year, or 50% of their base pay, whichever is less. The base salary increase applies to all firefighter designated positions (primary or secondary positions alike), whether they are permanent or temporary...

Special Requests

 

Features

Being Ready—Wildfire Preparedness

Wildfire is coming! Are you ready?

It takes the combination of both Defensible space and the hardening of your home to really give your house the best chance of surviving a wildfire.

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One Less Spark—One Less Wildfire

One Less Spark—One Less Wildfire

Whether it's ensuring a campfire or landscape debris burn of leaves and branches is completely extinguished, or keeping a vehicle well maintained to prevent sparks, following just a few simple steps can help prevent wildfires.

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Features

Being Ready—Wildfire Preparedness

Wildfire is Coming ... Are You Ready?

It takes the combination of both Defensible space and the hardening of your home to really give your house the best chance of surviving a wildfire.

View Feature

View All Features

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