Wildland Firefighting in Canada

[u/Admirable_Form_1242]

Hello, I’m based in Ontario and looking to get into short-term or temporary work as a wildland firefighter. I’m curious how things work if I apply within Ontario versus out of province, is the process any different, and is it realistic to get hired somewhere else in Canada if I’m applying from Ontario? Also, how long do these contracts usually run for?

I know municipal firefighting is very competitive, so I’m also wondering how competitive wildland firefighting jobs usually are. I have no fire experience, I have a social science degree and am currently an infantry soldier.

Thank you!

[u/No-Try9018]

I work in Ontario. Ontario calls us FireRangers. They’re employed by the MNR as type 1 (initial attack) wildland firefighters. Quick search for “Ontario FireRanger” will yield pretty much everything you’re looking for right from the province’s website.

Positions can be competitive depending on the fire base, but the good news is bases often hire for temporary contracts which opens up more slots. While a temporary contract won’t contribute to gaining permanent seasonal employment with the MNR, if you’re already looking for temporary work then presumably you won’t mind.

Season generally runs mid April - end of September, but sometimes it can be extended depending on the year. Extensions are optional.

Best tips I can give: 1. Apply before January 1st of the year you want to work. So if you want to work next season (2026), apply by the end of this year. 2. Call every base you want to work early in the year. This is not boomer advice. Genuinely call. This is how you help secure a spot with so many applicants.

[u/firefighter2727 → u/No-Try9018]

Really good advice above, as for your question about applying elsewhere you’ll have no issues at all doing so. I recommend trying to get on with a Type 1 government agency over a contract crew as you’ll be guaranteed employment even if it’s slow and you’ll get more fire experience.

You’ll be able to apply to any province you want just look up their government agency. As for preferences I would suggest BC or Ontario.

Ontario fire will have lots of camping on the fire line and it’s a fun time. All the fire will be pump and hose in the muskeg, IMO nobody in the country runs hose lays as efficiently and effectively as Ontario although I’m sure people will disagree with me on that. They’re also getting another big raise this season so it’s getting on par with BC. Ontario has quite a few live on bases up north. Lots of fun don’t know how old you are but if you’re under 25-30 I think they’re a good time.

BC pays the best in the country and has tons of variety for environment and types of fire fighting. Probably the most professional if you’re looking to make a career but on the flip side they have tons of rules and don’t allow as much cowboy stuff as other agencies it seems. Not many live on bases, but they fight fire with more variety in tactics then the rest of country. You’ll actually burn snd dig line in the southern parts of the province which is pretty unique for the country. Big con for BC is they really seem to hate camping. Almost always it’s hotel shows or fire camps, commuting by truck to snd from fire. It’s operationally inefficient and its a bummer compared to camping on the line

[u/Admirable_Form_1242 → u/No-Try9018]

Thanks a lot!

[u/MathemeticianLanky61]

The application deadline for Alberta is Nov 30. It’s been awhile, but I think we look at all the applications in December and do most of the recruitment in January.

We do hire out-of-province applicants. Typically we would want to see you pass the WFX fitness test before we give anyone an interview, can’t remember exactly how that works with out-of-province applicants, it’s been awhile since I was involved and the process has changed a bit. I think you can pay a contractor to put you through the fitness test in Ontario? Anyways Alberta (and BC) has a 14:30 test time to pass, higher than other provinces because of the mountains. It’s a tough test at any time limit, tougher if you have to do it under 14:30.

The Alberta Wildfire website should have more detailed information that should be pretty easy to find. Military experience, especially infantry, should get you through the resume screening part of the process. I think the wildfire crew member job posting should have information about what we are looking for in a candidate, so tweak your resume accordingly.

Alberta’s fire season is March 1 to Oct 31, but we usually look to bring on firefighters in April. Being available to start early might be a useful thing to put in your cover letter if that applies to you. We probably wouldn’t look at someone who was only available to start mid-June, we do almost all of the training courses in April and early May.

[u/firefighter2727 → u/MathemeticianLanky61]

Ontario contractors have wfx tests that you can pay to do, don’t know if the timing would line up for completion before an Alberta interview.

[u/Admirable_Form_1242 → u/MathemeticianLanky61]

Thanks!!

[u/jsteezy18]

In Alberta you'll get staff accommodation and food included for the whole summer. As well in Ontario you'll often find yourself camping on the fireline whereas here most often you'll either be in an incident or oilfield camp if you're on a complex or at a permanent fire base, which are typically pretty nice.

Base rate is $22.44hr i believe but the shitty wage is better when you're making overtime. x1.5 after 7.25hrs and x2 pay after 9.25hrs. If you're working 14hr days for 17 days the overtime adds up quick.

[u/Admirable_Form_1242 → u/jsteezy18]

Thank you!