Fire
Operating Principles
- Apply the best science in efforts to restore and maintain healthy fire-dependent ecosystems
- Plan and execute Fire & Aviation Management operations in a safe, effective, and cost-efficient manner
- Actively participate and provide leadership supporting all elements of the USDA Forest Service mission
- Provide leadership in developing interagency cooperation and partnerships
- Provide leadership in conservation education
- Ensure a professional and motivated workforce that is able to adapt and derive benefit during times of change
- Proudly serve the nation as USDA Forest Service employees
Wildfire Response
For decades, Angeles National Forest Fire & Aviation Management has led the charge in wildfire suppression, prevention, and education. Home to the largest wildland firefighting force of any forest in the U.S., our dedicated firefighters and aviation specialists work relentlessly to help protect Los Angeles County and the forest through mutual aid partnerships and advanced firefighting strategies.
Angeles National Forest is home to 23 fire stations strategically located throughout the forest to provide rapid response initial attack to wildfires and emergencies. Our fire engines and crews are trained to suppress wildfires, ensure public safety, and help protect forest resources. These fire stations are the backbone of our firefighting efforts, working alongside other specialized teams.
The Angeles National Forest host the only night flying helicopter in the U.S. Our Helitack Crew operates 24/7, provided aerial and on-the-ground fire suppression. Helicopters play a crucial role in:
- Rapidly deploying firefighters to remote locations.
- Dropping water and fire retardant to slow wildfire spread.
- Conducting aerial reconnaissance to support ground crews.
- Assisting in medical evacuations and rescue operations
The Angeles National Forest is home to five Interagency Hotshot Crews—some of the most elite and highly trained wildland firefighters responding to major wildfire incidents nationwide. Hotshot crews specialize in the most hazardous and physically demanding fire suppression tasks, including constructing handlines to try to contain a burning area in steep, rugged terrain and burning out vegetation near a fire's edge or around structures to slow or stop a wildfire in its tracks.
Learn more about the history of the Hotshot Crews at the Angeles National Forest:
Current Hotshot Crews:
- Bear Divide Hotshots
- Dalton Hotshots
- Little Tujunga Hotshots
- Texas Canyon Hotshots
- Valyermo Hotshots
Historic Hotshot Crews:
- Chilao Hotshots
- Oak Grove Hotshots
Wildland firefighting requires more than just "people power." It demands specialized heavy equipment to tackle tough terrain. The Angeles National Forest utilizes dozers and other heavy machinery to enhance fire suppression efforts. Dozers play a crucial role in wildfire containment by:
- Building fuel breaks to remove fuel and stop fire spread.
- Clearing vegetation in high-risk areas.
After wildfires start, firefighters, aircraft, and engines rush into action. But behind every fire engine, helicopter, and crew, there is a team ensuring resources get to where they are needed most: dispatchers. Dispatch works in a high-energy, fast-paced environment, balancing incoming and outgoing emergency messages. Their decisions ensure:
- The right resources are sent to the right place at the right time
- Firefighter safety through constant monitoring and communication
- Efficient coordination between Federal, State, and local agencies
Preventing human-caused wildfires is a top priority. Our Fire Prevention Team focuses on education, patrols, and enforcement to reduce unwanted fires in the forest. Look for us in the forest or at local events. As Smokey says, "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires!"
Prescribed Fire (Planned Fires)
Prescribed fire is a planned fire; it is also sometimes called a “controlled burn” or “prescribed burn,” and is used to meet management objectives. A prescription is a set of conditions that considers the safety of the public and fire staff, weather, and probability of meeting the burn objectives. In controlled conditions, a team of fire experts use prescribed fires to help restore health to ecosystems that depend on fire.
Fuel Treatments
Fuels treatments are mechanical, biological, or other non-fire methods of removing or altering vegetation on the landscape. Common methods include chipping, limbing, mastication, or using saws. Fuels treatments are critical to forest health, especially when the amount of vegetation in an area has built up to dangerous levels, which makes it important for crews to perform regular hazardous fuels reduction work.
Fire Restrictions
Whether you're hiking, camping, or even driving through the forest, it's important to be fire safe. Always check current alerts & fire danger before entering the forest. Never leave a campfire unattended and put out a campfire by slowly pouring water onto the fire and stirring with a shovel. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cool to touch.
Fire Information
For wildfire incident information, follow updates on the forest InciWeb site (for major wildfires) or stay tuned by following our forest's social media channels on X and Facebook.
For real-time information or questions about wildfire incident information, please contact the Angeles National Forest at (626) 574-1613.
