Secretaries, Haaland, Vilsack announce new pay initiative for wildland firefighters

U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Tuesday that they would be implementing President Joe Biden’s pay increases for federal wildland firefighters.

The announcement ensures that the approximately 3,500 firefighters with the Department of the Interior and the more than 11,300 firefighters at the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service will be paid a minimum of $15 per hour.

“As climate change brings longer fire seasons and more extreme fire behavior, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to wildland fire preparedness and response. The brave women and men on the frontlines deserve fair pay for their work to protect our families, our communities, and our lands from the increasing threat of fire,” said Secretary Haaland. “By improving pay, we will not only support our wildland firefighters in a challenging year but also improve our ability to hire and retain top talent.”

The pay increase will go into effect immediately. Additionally, wildland firefighters will receive a minimum of $15 per hour, backdated to June 30, 2021. The Departments will give firefighters pay awards to all frontline firefighters to ensure their pay meets that minimum. All temporary frontline firefighters will get a $1,300 award, while all permanent frontline firefighters up to level GS-9 will receive an award equal to 10 percent of six months of their base pay.

“With the growing threat of climate change, severe droughts, and longer, more intense fire years, we must have more resources to protect communities, infrastructure, and the environment we all depend on,” said Secretary Vilsack. “Supporting our brave firefighters with pay, benefits, and career opportunities that reflect the importance and danger of the work that they do is critical to facing the mounting wildfire threat.”

The Department of Interior employs about 5,000 wildland firefighters across the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service. Of those, an estimated 3,500 will receive $7.6 million under the pay increase initiatives. The Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service employs an additional 14,500 wildland firefighters, and more than 11,300 will receive additional money, totaling up to $24.3 million.