Forest Fire Inspector

Explore This Path

Protect forests by enforcing fire safety and preventing devastating wildfires.
Play a crucial role in safeguarding natural habitats and communities from fire threats.
Unique chance to combine outdoor work with emergency response and safety training.

💰 Earn $73K-$115K

📚 High School Diploma or GED

⏱️ 12–24 MONTH TRAINING

📈 16.3% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

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

Relay messages about emergencies, accidents, locations of crew and personnel, and fire hazard conditions.
Conduct wildland firefighting training.
Estimate sizes and characteristics of fires, and report findings to base camps by radio or telephone.
Direct crews working on firelines during forest fires.
Locate forest fires on area maps, using azimuth sighters and known landmarks.

Scoop

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

1 to 2 years

Job Openings

200 Annually

Median Earnings

$89,320 in California

$54,080 Nationally

$25K

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Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Forest Fire Inspector? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@briggyg

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Influencing or leading others
Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Coordination
Critical Thinking
Social Perceptiveness
Speaking
Monitoring

You value 🙏

Accomplishing things
Having freedom
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Forest Fire Inspector

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years