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Hotshot Crews

Interagency Hotshot Crews are highly trained handcrews that can be assigned to complex incidents nationwide. They are known for high physical standards, strong crew cohesion, and demanding operational work.

Typical duties

  • Fireline construction in difficult terrain
  • Burnout and firing operations
  • Initial and extended attack on large incidents
  • Supporting complex incident objectives

Work environment

Travel across regions, extended assignments, and some of the most demanding terrain in fire.

Common prerequisites

  • Requirements set by the hosting agency and crew
  • Strong physical conditioning
  • Prior experience is often preferred but varies by crew

Physical demands

Very high — crews often hold internal fitness standards above the minimum.

Relevant training

Agency-required training plus crew-specific training and certifications.

Advancement

Squad bossAssistant superintendentSuperintendentFire management roles

Varies by agency, location, and year. This is general educational information, not official requirements.

The full lesson, application process, and official links are included in WildlandNow Complete.

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