KlamathIHC
Our Mission and Core Values
The primary mission of a Hotshot Crew is to provide safe, organized, mobile and highly skilled handcrews for all phases of wildland fire suppression and reinforcement during natural disaster incident operations and hazardous fuels management.
Hotshot crews and the Klamath organization are dynamic and must not become stagnant. To remain an energetic program with continued support, we will continue to learn, improve our skills, refine our tactics, increase situational awareness and improve our physical fitness.
If you think you know everything about fire and stop learning, you are no longer an asset but a liability to the Crew.
The essence of this program is represented in our Core Values:
- Tradition- To uphold IHC values
- Work ethic- Making hard work come easy
- Professionalism- Integrity, Honesty, Perseverance, Camaraderie, Competence and Commitment. We stand on our line not on our mouth.
- Safety- Nothing More, Nothing Less
- Humor- If we are not having fun, we are doing something wrong.
Klamath Hotshot Vision
“Work Hard, Have Fun. A season of sacrifice for a lifetime of tradition.”
Klamath IHC History
2001
The Klamath Hotshots were established as part of the National Fire Plan in response to the devastating fires of 2000. The maximum efficiency level (MEL) for the Klamath National Forest called for the addition of an Interagency Hotshot Crew and the Oak Knoll Work Center was selected as the host site.
Johnny Clem was selected as the superintendent of the Klamath IHC, and was able to gain certification as an IHC in August of the crew’s first year.
Transportation for the crew was originally “six packs” provided by the forest. Mid-way through the first year the crew took delivery of two new International crew hauls.
2003
The crew was able to complete the construction of two new bunkhouses with rooms for up to 18 personnel.
2009
The overhead moved out of the barn, which had served as the crew’s office since its inception and into a modular office space with room for training. Until this time all classes facilitated by the crew were held in the local Klamath River Community Hall.
2010
Two new crew hauls, as well as a new superintendent vehicle were delivered. Those vehicles continue to log numerous miles responding to emergency incidents around the nation.
2013
The crew continued to expand with the opening of a new KIHC office on the Oak Knoll compound. It provides more space for gear storage, and additionally a squad room that hosts the Squad leaders and Senior Firefighters to work and have non-formal meetings. The new building delivers a comfortable work environment year-round as the training room facilitates not only the Crew but the District, and forest staff. Along with the new office there is a saw shop, welding and tool room built to accommodate the growing needs of the crew.
2019
Saw the end of an era with long time, and original, superintendent Johnny Clem accepting the position of Deputy District Ranger for KNF Happy Camp/Oak Knoll. However, the tradition continues to be carried on with the hiring of Andrew Zink as the new superintendent. Andy, better known as “Butters,” originally begin with the crew in 2002, moving up through the ranks as Apprentice, Senior, Squadboss, and Captain over his career.
2020
2020 was a year of many changes, challenges, and COVID-19. Adding to the depth of the overhead the crew has welcomed Kyle Ownsbey as Captain to counterpart veteran Kevin Smyth. It was a long a grueling fire season with the added the additional pressure of the Hotshot Review. This process designed to “self check” the standards of individual crew over the years, especially as a large turnover accrues, to make sure the standards, values, and traditions of the Hotshot community are being up held by the crew. Throughout the summer, the crew of 20 stayed close to home this year (the party is always found on the Klamath NF) with two weeks spent on lightning fires on the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger Districts and just under eight weeks in and around the Trinity Alps Wilderness where we lived on a diet of MREs. In typical Klamath spirit the whole crew stayed positive, strong, and enjoyed the work that needed to be done in order for a completion of a successful mission. The crew looks forward to what the future brings!
2022
Kevin Smyth was replaced this year by Patrick Grimes. The season started out slow, with a staging assignment in Arizona and lots of extensions for Red Flag Warnings until the McKinney fire broke out in late July. This fire threatened our station, which luckily survived, as it burned upwards of 40,000 acres on our home district. After responding to the Initial Attack, the crew spent a large part of the summer at home working the McKinney. It has left much of the surrounding area, including our PT runs and hikes, nearly unrecognizable, but we will get to see the landscape grow back in the next few years.
2023
This year, Butters moved forward to be division at Oak Knoll Station, and Kyle Ownsbey took the Supt job. Patrick Grimes was the lone captain until joined by Brian Janes, returning to Klamath after years with Redding Smokejumpers. It was a busy year with plenty of fires at home and two rolls to Idaho.
2024
The crew had a busy year in 2024, starting with a lightning fire in Happy Camp just hours after passing our annual review. The first 2-week assignment took us to the Post fire in SoCal, then to stage on the Inyo, where we got two more IA lightning fires. We kept busy, with only 2 station days after we started rolling. From the San Bernadino to the Sequoia, the Shasta Trinity, the Six Rivers, the Klamath of course, and even twice to Oregon, we traveled around quite a bit. It was a solid summer of work, with 2-hour hikes in, burning up to 7 miles in a day, and long days of strong line construction. We got to bookend the season with another staging assignment in the Inyo, with a bonus fire accessed by UTVs and helicopter in the snow. We came back from our final R&R with a couple days left before the end of the season.
Kyle Ownsbey 2023-Present
Andrew Zink 2019 – 2022
Kevin Smyth 2018 (Detailed)
Andy Zink 2017 (Detailed)
Johnny Clem 2001 – 2019
Brian Janes 2023-Present
Patrick Grimes 2022-Present
Kyle Ownsbey 2020 - 2022
Andy Tompkins 2019 (Detailed)
Isaac Flattley 2019
Kevin Smyth 2014 - Present
Andy Zink 2013 – 2019
Kevin Smyth 2013 (Detailed)
Aaron Schuh 2009 - 2013
Devin Parks 2009- 2013
Terry Lim 2010 (Detailed)
Victor Guitierrez 2008 (Detailed)
Brett Loomis 2007 - 2009
Devin Parks 2007 (Detailed)
Aaron Schuh 2005 - 2007
Scott English 2001 - 2004
Asad Rahman 2001 - 2008
SULPHUR | Klamath National Forest | CA |
POST | LA County | CA |
WHEELER | Inyo National Forest | CA |
ASPEN | Inyo National Forest | CA |
SHELLY | Klamath National Forest | CA |
BORREL | Sequoia National Forest | CA |
BOISE | Six River National Forest | CA |
WHITMAN SPRINGS | Umatilla National Forest | OR |
BACHELOR COMPLEX-FIRESTONE/FLAT TOP | Deschutes National Forest | OR |
BACHELOR COMPLEX- LITTLE LAVA | Deschutes National Forest | OR |
SHOE | Shasta-Trinity National Forest | CA |
WAUCOBA | Inyo National Forest | CA |
Klamath IHC Recruitment
The Klamath Interagency Hotshot crew is looking for individuals that are highly motivated and physically fit with safety as their highest priority. We seek to maintain a diverse, strong and professional crew in order to ensure crew cohesion and effectiveness.
Physical fitness is the foundation to being a good hotshot. In order to ensure an applicant’s success upon selection, we recommend beginning a comprehensive physical fitness program before applying for employment. Hiking, running, weight training and calisthenics can all contribute to the whole body conditioning that is necessary to succeed as a hotshot. If a crewmember is missing any of the above in their training program it can affect the safety and efficiency of the crew.
Prior wildland firefighting experience is useful, but not a requirement for employment. The Klamath Interagency Hotshots will be looking for the strongest, best qualified and persistent applicants to hire as new temporary crewmembers.
For information on the Klamath IHC, email superintendent Kyle Ownsbey at kyle.ownsbey@usda.gov
or call: (530) 465-1505
or write to:
Klamath IHC
PO Box 10
Klamath River, CA 96050
More information on employment with the Forest Service is also available on the FOREST SERVICE EMPLOYMENT website.
Klamath IHC Training
Fire Season starts yesterday with you!
It is important that crew members take every opportunity to show up Physically and Mentally prepared. Our goal is to build on your foundation by teaching fire and the skills to be effective. It is vital to our crew safety, productiveness, and success.
*All applicants must successfully pass the Forest Service Work Capacity Test. This test involves walking 3 miles with a 45lb pack in 45 minutes or less.
Furthermore, it is recommended that the following fitness goals be met as a baseline:
- 1.5 mile run in a time of 10:35 or less
- 40 sit-ups in 60 seconds or less
- 25 pushups in 60 seconds or less
- Chin-ups, based on body weight
- More than 170 lbs. = 4 chin-ups
- 135-169 lbs. = 5 chin-ups
- 110-134 lbs. = 6 chin-ups
- Less than 110 lbs. = 7 chin-ups
Specific Physical Training Information
Hiking - Hikes will be performed wearing full personal protective equipment and line gear. Hikes will primarily travel on Klamath IHC’s well beaten paths behind the station. Hikes will be travelled at crew pace; not keeping up on hikes is an unacceptable work practice because that is how the crew gets to and from the fireline safely.
Running - Runs will be performed wearing appropriate running shoes, shorts and shirt. Runs will be a minimum of 3 miles and will not exceed 10 miles.
Strength Training Exercises - Strength training will consist of pushups, pull-ups, bar dips, weight lifting, yoga and core exercises. Exercises will be performed in a manner that aids in the development of muscles more conditioned to the work performed by hotshots.
Stretching - Stretching is an integral part of any physical fitness training program. The Klamath IHC uses stretching and proper hydration to minimize injury and promote fast recovery from the strenuous PT program.
Examples of workout training plans:
Learning begins on the crew's first day
It is important that crew members view each fire and project as an opportunity to learn.
The initial foundation of training includes:
- Forest Orientation
- Crew Orientation
- Standards for Survival
- Look-up, Look-down, Look-around
- Survival triangle
- L.C.E.S.
- Common Denominators
- Line construction
- Fire Shelter training
- Communications
- Human factors on the fireline
- Working with inmates
- Lessons learned
- I.A. procedures
- S-330 (unit V, Lessons C-D) Task Force/Strike Team Leader
- S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
- Fatality review
- Fireline Handbook
- Civil Rights
- Fire Fatality Scenarios
- Downhill Line construction
- Light hand on the land
- First aid/CPR and HAZMAT
- Search and Rescue
- Life First/”Everyone gets home” Campaign, and CISM
Additional training may consist of, but is not limited to:
- S-131 Advanced Firefighter Training; S-211 Portable Pumps and Water use; S-212 Power Saws
- S-215 Fire Operation in the Urban Interface; S-219 Ignition Operations; S-270 Basic Air Operations
S-271 Helicopter Crew Member; L-280 Followership to Leadership; Maps and compasses…
Additional training will be completed at the Superintendent’s discretion as time allows and crew needs will be secondary to performing the duties as wildland firefighters.