Applicant Information

The work is of a hard, physical nature. Most work will be outdoors in conditions of heat, cold, wet, wind, dust and smoke. While in the field, housing may consist of a tent and meals may be field rations. Crew Members can expect to be living under primitive field conditions for weeks at a time.  When crews are not on fire assignment and in volunteer status, work will consist of a variety of conservation and resource enhancement projects such as trail construction and rehabilitation, pre-commercial thinning, slash disposal, and building maintenance or construction. While on project work, work hours may be up to 16 hours per day, 7 days a week.

Crew members must be able to work the entire season (mid-May through mid-August) and will be expected to be ready and available for fire calls 24 hrs/day, 7 days/week.  A full season on the North Star Fire Crew will count as experience towards qualifying as a regular seasonal employee of AFS or other agencies.

Transportation from home to Fairbanks and return to home must be provided by crew members. Transportation from Fairbanks to work sites and return to Fairbanks will be provided by the agency.

All firefighting gear and equipment will be provided.  Crew members will be expected to provide their own personal clothing. The minimum clothing items required are listed below:

• 8 inch top (minimum), lace-up, all-leather boots with Vibram soles (no nylon/ Gore-Tex uppers or steel toes)
• Rain gear
• Warm jacket
• Space blanket (heavy duty type)
• Pants
• Shirts
• Extra socks (4-10 pr. cotton or wool work socks)
• Extra underwear
• Running shoes
• Physical training clothing
• Knit cap
• Watch

Applicants should also familiarize themselves with Fire Duty in Alaska.

Crew members should be in top physical condition. Work on wildfires will be of a hard, physical nature; 16 hour shifts for weeks at a time is the standard. Work will be outdoors in conditions of heat, cold, wet, wind, dust, and smoke. For information see Training and Fitness Standards.