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Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist

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All About Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Job Description: Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.

List of Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist Job Duties

  • Maintain records and logbooks.
  • Extinguish smaller fires with portable extinguishers, shovels, and axes.
  • Estimate sizes and characteristics of fires, and report findings to base camps by radio or telephone.
  • Patrol assigned areas, looking for forest fires, hazardous conditions, and weather phenomena.
  • Relay messages about emergencies, accidents, locations of crew and personnel, and fire hazard conditions.
  • Restrict public access and recreational use of forest lands during critical fire seasons.

Skills Needed to be a Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Types of Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist Jobs

  • Environmental Protection Fire Control Officer
  • Fire Warden
  • District Ranger
  • Forest Officer
  • Forestry Aid

Job Opportunities for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 1,700 jobs in the United States for Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 29.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 500 new jobs for Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 200 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist are Texas, Idaho, and Arkansas. Watch out if you plan on working in Oregon, Colorado, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist Salary

The average yearly salary of a Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist ranges between $26,660 and $83,810.

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Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists who work in California, Oregon, or Texas, make the highest salaries.

How much do Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $34,990
Arkansas $35,620
California $82,000
Colorado $43,650
Mississippi $28,300
Oregon $62,630
Texas $63,470

What Tools & Technology do Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists:

  • Microsoft Word
  • Mapping software
  • Fire incident reporting systems

How to Become a Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist

Education needed to be a Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Who Employs Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists?

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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References:

Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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