Wile fires.. anyone here have an experance fighting them?

[AZ_Hiker]

yesterday 7 new wild fires were started because of lightning strikes here in arizona.. I use to fight fires on a voninteer basis in oregon and was wondering if anyone here had done the same? if so, who would you concact?


thanks

[hddan]

There really isn't any volunteer wildland firefighting here in AZ. The only possible way would be to join a small local volunteer fire dept. that sends people (and trucks) out on fires to make money as a state contractor. You must take and pass a few basic wildland firefighting classes before fighting fire. If you have already taken some of the NWCG classes, they are the same, and recognized here. This way they ensure that the folks on fires have at least the minimum required training and experience needed to keep themselves and others safe.
Most of the fire dept. in AZ (paid and volunteer) are under contract through the AZ State Lands Dept. to provide personnel and equipment if requested. The rest of the firefighting resources in the state are provided under federal contract through the USDA FS.
It's good stuff, the Tonto has some of the most extreme fire behavior in the Western US every year. Lots of dry lightning, extreme topography and heavy fuel loads ensure most years are lively. I've been doing it for 7 years now, feel free to contact me for more information.
-Danny

[Nighthiker]

Been a firefighter career firfighter for 21 years plus four years as a reserve. You would need to get on a dept somewhere. The past several years the federal goverment has cut back funding and not as many Hotshot crews as were in the past. Sounds like you are interested in as a handcrew team member. Good Luck.