BLM Idaho Boise Helitack Provides USFWS Wildland Firefighter Apprentice with a Unique Opportunity

Thanks to the tight-knit wildland fire community, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) wildland fire apprentice had the opportunity to complete a 2-week assignment with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Idaho Boise Helitack crew. A helitack crew consists of wildland firefighters who are transported by helicopter to wildfires to quickly respond and assess the situation. An ode to the strong connections between personnel at the agencies and a drive to set apprentices up for success, allowed apprentice Zarek Jones to experience fighting fire from a different view.

What makes Boise Helitack distinct is that it’s the only program in the Department of the Interior (in which BLM and USFWS fall under) with a type 1 helicopter. Type 1 helicopters are the largest helicopters used to fight wildfires. Boise Helitack is comprised of a 24-person module that operates a UH-60 Blackhawk. This helicopter provides unique capabilities on wildland fire incidents, such as its range and speed. Due to the capability of the crew, as well as the helicopter, the crew frequently engages in initial attack. This high-tempo, fast-paced environment provided Jones a unique experience not all wildland firefighters get to experience.

Like many wildland fire crews and personnel, the Boise Helitack crew is always on the move, spending the majority of their summers away from home. This fire year is no different.

When Jones’ detail with Boise Helitack began, the crew was prepositioned in Oregon.  Over the next two weeks, Boise Helitack responded to wildfires across eastern Oregon, including the Cow Valley, Durkee, and Cedar Creek fires. Throughout his assignment with Boise Helitack, Jones wasted no time jumping right in to learn all the aspects of what life as a helitack crewmember entails.

Through the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship program, Boise Helitack was able to provide Jones a unique opportunity to work with a different federal agency and experience a different approach to wildland firefighting.  The Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship program provides opportunities for new wildland firefighters to experience multiple approaches to the profession by exposing them to different types of wildland fire crews, as well as wildland fire support functions. Of his experience, Jones says that being with Boise Helitack opened his eyes to a whole different world in wildland fire, especially since the majority of his previous experience has included staffing a wildland fire engine.

Jones’ next adventure will be to gain experience on a wildland fire hand crew. A hand crew generally consists of 18 to 25 firefighters who respond to wildfires by working and camping near the fire. Additionally, Jones has always been interested in pursuing a future career as a smokejumper. A smokejumper is a wildland firefighter who parachutes to wildfires from an airplane. It is his hope that the opportunities he experiences while in the Wildland Firefighter Apprentice program will develop his leadership skills, firefighting skills, and increase his qualifications for the next steps in his career.

As the summer comes to a close, it’s time to look toward fire year 2025 job opportunities! Don’t miss helpful application resources and career information on https://www.nifc.gov/careers.