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$11

$29

$50

How much do prescribed fire jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for prescribed fire in the United States is $29.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $39.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Prescribed Fire job?

A Prescribed Fire job involves planning and conducting controlled burns to manage vegetation, reduce wildfire risk, and restore ecosystems. Professionals in this field work with fire crews, land managers, and environmental agencies to ensure burns are conducted safely and effectively. Responsibilities may include preparing burn plans, monitoring weather conditions, and using specialized equipment to ignite and control fires. These roles are often found in government agencies, conservation organizations, and private land management companies.

Who uses prescribed fire?

Prescribed fire is used by land management agencies, conservation organizations, and forestry professionals to reduce wildfire risk, manage ecosystems, and promote healthy plant growth. These professionals often hold certifications in fire management and work in outdoor environments, following strict safety protocols and environmental regulations.

What does a typical workday look like for someone in a Prescribed Fire position?

A typical workday in a Prescribed Fire position often involves planning and conducting controlled burns, monitoring weather conditions, preparing equipment, and coordinating with landowners and fire crews. You may spend time in both the field and the office, balancing hands-on fire implementation with administrative tasks such as reporting, mapping, and compliance documentation. Safety briefings and collaboration with various agencies or stakeholders are common parts of the job. The role can be physically demanding and may require irregular hours depending on burn windows, but it offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on ecosystem health and wildfire prevention.

How much do prescribed burners make?

Prescribed burners, also known as fire managers or fire specialists, typically earn between $15 and $25 per hour, depending on experience, certifications, and location. Seasonal or entry-level positions may pay less, while experienced professionals with advanced certifications can earn higher wages. Many also work in remote or outdoor environments, often requiring specialized training in fire safety and environmental management.

Are prescribed burns legal?

Prescribed fire professionals, such as those trained in wildfire management, must follow federal, state, and local regulations that govern controlled burns. These regulations often require permits, environmental assessments, and adherence to safety protocols to ensure burns are conducted legally and safely. Certification and proper planning are essential for legal prescribed burning practices.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Prescribed Fire position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Prescribed Fire role, you need a strong understanding of fire ecology, land management, and wildland fire behavior, often demonstrated by education in natural resources or forestry and specialized fire training. Technical proficiency with fire management tools, GIS mapping systems, and completion of relevant certifications such as NWCG (National Wildfire Coordinating Group) courses are typically required. Attention to detail, effective teamwork, and strong communication skills are important soft skills for ensuring safety and successful coordination during burns. These qualities are crucial for minimizing risk while achieving ecological management goals and complying with safety regulations.

What does a prescribed fire do?

A prescribed fire is a controlled burn conducted by fire professionals to reduce excess vegetation, manage ecosystems, and decrease the risk of larger wildfires. Prescribed fire specialists plan and execute these burns using specific tools and safety protocols to ensure environmental and public safety.
More about Prescribed Fire jobs
What cities are hiring for Prescribed Fire jobs? Cities with the most Prescribed Fire job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Prescribed Fire jobs? The most popular types of Prescribed Fire jobs are:
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Prescribed Fire jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prescribed Fire job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,830 per year, or $29.2 per hour.
Mountain Longleaf Prescribed Burn Association Coordinator/Berry College Liaison

Mountain Longleaf Prescribed Burn Association Coordinator/Berry College Liaison

Association For Fire Ecology

Rome, GA • On-site

Other

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Mountain Longleaf Prescribed Burn Association Coordinator/Berry College Liaison

This term position will include improving upon previous outreach efforts and establish a successful Prescribed Burn Association (PBA) in the Ridge and Valley region of Alabama and Georgia. Utilizing the PBA to conduct prescribed fires, hosting training and workshops, and working with partners to provide technical assistance will be key to seeing success in this region. Similarly, this position will assist Berry College students in fire training, prescribed fire and other land management applications.

Focus counties: Alabama: Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah, Shelby, St. Clair, and Talladega. Georgia: Bartow, Carroll, Chattooga, Floyd, Gordon, Haralson, Paulding, and Polk.

Duties:

  • Formalizes and acts as a full-time coordinator of Mountain Longleaf Prescribed Burn Association.
  • Works closely with Board of the Association and other partners (to include Tall Timbers Geospatial Lab) to coordinate and ensure prioritization and safe execution of prescribed burns on private land within the Association.
  • Uses Burn Association to facilitate fire use, pool risk to create cost-effective insurance coverage and annually plan burns to mitigate smoke emissions and ameliorate limited workforce capacity.
  • Leads the effort to create communication and collaboration with private land participants within the Association through regular landowner site visits and facilitating quarterly outreach and/or training workshops.
  • Oversees local extension and outreach services to private landowners, agencies and public land managers through weekly landowner visits, quarterly workshops and participation in conferences and the Alabama Prescribed Fire Council, and North Georgia Prescribed Fire Council meetings.
  • Assists with burn implementation as needed as a team member with the Tall Timbers Department of Prescribed Fire Applications.
  • Host field days and workshops to demonstrate successes and provide hands-on training. Increase capacity of certified burn managers through facilitating certification training.
  • Participates with other regional Tall Timbers outreach and training staff to implement fire or assist in other fire related activities as needed.

25% (some) of the time:

  • Facilitates prescribed fire training and mentoring for Berry College students in close cooperation with Berry College staff and faculty.
  • Assist in land management activities and serve as a mentee to land management activities at Berry College.
  • Work closely with Berry College and Tall Timbers Staff to create a visionary land management training and mentoring program for Berry work study students with an emphasis on the land management needs encountered in the Ridge and Valley and Piedmont regions of Georgia and Alabama
  • Coordinate with Berry College staff to develop a Berry College student burn team and/or Society of Fire Ecology (SAFE) chapter creating a conduit connecting students with future jobs in fire management.

Qualifications and experience that will help you succeed:

  • Dynamic personality with a demonstrated ability to deliver high quality classroom and field instruction on topics such as fire behavior, operational safety, fire effects, smoke management, fire planning, and fire weather to diverse audiences
  • High degree of interpersonal and communication skills, emotional and professional intelligence, self-motivation, creativity, organizational skills and a positive reputation within the fire and/or forestry community.
  • Bachelor's degree in natural sciences (Preferred) such as, but not limited to, wildland fire, forestry and/or wildlife management
  • Experience participating in and leading prescribed burns is required.
  • Alabama or Georgia Certified Prescribed Burn Manager is a plus.
  • ALSBRF RF, Georgia Board of Forestry RF, CWB, or CF is a plus.

To apply to this position, submit a resume and cover letter explaining why you are the best applicant for the job to Ryan Mitchell on or before May 15, 2026. Questions to same.

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