On National Wildland Firefighters Day the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (AK DOF) announced that State of Alaska wildland firefighters will receive a 30% mission critical incentive pay and the eligibility to receive 25% hazard pay when required to work under dangerous wildfire conditions.
Governor Mike Dunleavy recently signed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget that prioritizes public safety for Alaskans, including the pay increase to State of Alaska wildland firefighters with AK DOF. The pay bump will help retain experienced firefighters, recruit new teammates, and ensure the Division can meet it’s mission to provide for public safety and protect life, property, infrastructure, and natural resources.
The mission-critical incentive pay is being implemented in conjunction with a wildland firefighter job reclassification study. In 2023, the division had a 50% vacancy in some critical areas going into the wildland fire season and needed to import significant staff from the Lower 48.
“With the increased wildland fire environment being experienced nationally and globally, we are never going to fully get away from using out-of-state resources during extreme seasons,” said Norm McDonald, Deputy Director of Fire Protection. “What this pay increase will help us achieve is building back our Alaskan workforce. Federal wildland firefighter pay has been at the forefront of ongoing conversations in the U.S. Congress and – thanks to Governor Dunleavy’s administration and this public safety initiative – the State of Alaska is showing our commitment to providing our State firefighters with fair compensation for the dangerous and challenging work they perform for Alaskans.”
Multiple initiatives in the budget aim to prepare the State of Alaska for the next 50 years of wildland firefighting by retaining firefighters, rebuilding rural crews, and improving fire response.
Alongside increased pay for State of Alaska wildland firefighters, the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection is developing a comprehensive program to support it’s workforce. This includes training and professional development, Wildland Firefighter Academy opportunities, a fuels reduction program, and a cutting-edge health & wellness program.
More details can be read in the full press release at https://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/pic/releases/7.2.2024%20State%20Wildland%20Firefighters%20to%20Receive%20Pay%20Increase.pdf
The State of Alaska, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection’s mission is to safely manage wildland fires that pose a threat to life, property, and critical infrastructure on 150 million acres of land throughout the State of Alaska.
Media Contact: Lily Coyle 907-795-9382 lily.coyle@alaska.gov
Categories: Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF), recruitment
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 