r/Wildfire • u/Admirable_Form_1242 • 4d ago
Question Wildland Firefighting in Canada
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!
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u/MathemeticianLanky61 4d ago edited 4d ago
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.