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Wildland firefighting is the dark side of forestry, but can get you the experience and federal foot in the door.
Most the hiring is done in Fall to January. Since everyone is getting fatter, they are being more lenient with hiring and some federal positions may still be hiring.
You can also do contractual positions. Some like greyback will only bring you onto big fires which may be only a handful during the peak of fire season.
Be ready to pass the pack test which is 3 miles, 45 mins with 45 pounds to get red carded. It's hard on your body, but there is no shape like firefighter shape and you can move on a few years after that.