All About Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist Example Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.
Life As a Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist
- Inspect camp sites to ensure that campers are in compliance with forest use regulations.
- Compile and report meteorological data, such as temperature, relative humidity, wind direction and velocity, and types of cloud formations.
- Restrict public access and recreational use of forest lands during critical fire seasons.
- Direct crews working on firelines during forest fires.
- Inspect forest tracts and logging areas for fire hazards such as accumulated wastes or mishandling of combustibles, and recommend appropriate fire prevention measures.
- Examine and inventory firefighting equipment, such as axes, fire hoses, shovels, pumps, buckets, and fire extinguishers, to determine amount and condition.
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What Every Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist Should Know
When polled, Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Types of Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist
- Fire Ranger
- Forest Patrolman
- Fire Behavior Analyst
- Forestry Patrolman
- District Ranger
Are There Job Opportunities for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists?
In the United States, there were 1,700 jobs for Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 29.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 500 new jobs for Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist by 2026. There will be an estimated 200 positions for Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist per year.

The states with the most job growth for Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist are Texas, Idaho, and Arkansas. Watch out if you plan on working in Oregon, Colorado, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists Make A Lot Of Money?
The typical yearly salary for Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists is somewhere between $26,660 and $83,810.

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists who work in California, Oregon, or Texas, make the highest salaries.
How much do Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $34,990 |
Arkansas | $35,620 |
California | $82,000 |
Colorado | $43,650 |
Mississippi | $28,300 |
Oregon | $62,630 |
Texas | $63,470 |
What Tools do Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists:
- Microsoft Word
- Mapping software
- Fire incident reporting systems
Becoming a Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist
What education is needed to be a Forest Fire Inspector or Prevention Specialist?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists Work?

The table below shows the approximate number of Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists employed by various industries.

References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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