Life As a Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist
Job Description & Duties Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.
What Do Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists Do On a Daily Basis?
- Estimate sizes and characteristics of fires, and report findings to base camps by radio or telephone.
- Direct maintenance and repair of firefighting equipment, or requisition new equipment.
- Direct crews working on firelines during forest fires.
- Restrict public access and recreational use of forest lands during critical fire seasons.
- Patrol assigned areas, looking for forest fires, hazardous conditions, and weather phenomena.
- Extinguish smaller fires with portable extinguishers, shovels, and axes.
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Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist Needed Skills
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
- Fire Patrol
- Resource Protection Specialist
- District Ranger
- Look Out Tower Fire Watcher
- Fire Inspector
Is There Going to be Demand for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists?
In the United States, there were 1,700 jobs for Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist in 2016. 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.

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 Average Salary
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists make between $26,660 and $83,810 a year.

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists who work in California, Oregon, or Texas, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists in different U.S. states.
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 do Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Word
- Mapping software
- Fire incident reporting systems
How do I Become a Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist?
Are there Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become a Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist?

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists Sector

Below are examples of industries where Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists work:

References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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