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Forest Fire Prevention Specialists


Overview

Forest Fire Prevention Specialists

Introduction

Forest fire prevention specialists identify and assess fire hazards in forests and other wildland areas that may cause danger to humans, wildlife, natural areas, and homes and other structures; recommend ways to reduce or eliminate fire hazards; and report fire conditions to central command. They are also known as forest fire inspectors. There are approximately 2,200 forest fire prevention specialists in the United States.

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$39,600

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Employment Prospects

Excellent

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Minimum Education Level

Some Postsecondary Training
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Experience

Previous experience as a firefighter commonly required


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Skills

Interpersonal
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Personality Traits

Helpful
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Earnings

Salaries for forest fire prevention specialists depend on the employer, the size of the department or organization, and the worker’s job title and level of experience. Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists earned median annual salaries of $39,600 in May 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Ten percent earned less than $26,660, and the highest paid 10 percent earned more ...

Work Environment

Specialists spend a considerable amount of time outdoors patrolling and inspecting forests, prairies, grasslands, savannas, and other ecosystems in which there is a strong risk of fire. Some of these areas are extremely rugged. As a result, inspectors and prevention specialists have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all careers. In addition to working outdoors in all types o...

Outlook

The career of forest fire inspector and prevention specialist ranks among the top 20 fastest-growing careers in the United States from 2018 to 2028. Job opportunities are expected to increase by 24 percent during this time span, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In 2018, 58,083 wildfires destroyed 8,767,492 acres in the United States, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. ...