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Wildland Firefighting

Ignite Your Career!
Watch CCC’s Wildland Firefighting Playlist to spark your interest.
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Corpsmembers
Approximately 450
Locations
13 Centers
Stipend
$2,814 per month

Overview

The California Conservation Corps partners with CAL FIRE and Bureau of Land Management to operate wildland firefighting hand crews. Corpsmembers enrolled in this program remove hazardous fire fuels, cut fire line, lay hose, participate in controlled burns, and mop up wildland fires. Crews operate year-round; they respond to local calls and can be dispatched statewide. Corpsmembers also complete fuel reduction projects when not on fires.

Training is consistent with state and federal partner requirements, preparing young adults for future careers in the fire service. Corpsmembers earn wildland firefighting certifications, including, but not limited to: IS-100, IS-700, S-110, S-130, L-180, and S-190. Corpsmembers must pass physical fitness requirements to join a CCC fire crew.

Why We Work

Throughout history, fire has shaped the landscapes of California; many native species rely on fire to survive. However, due to a century of fire suppression coupled with the impacts of climate change, catastrophic wildfire is a major concern. According to California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, the average area burned statewide could increase 77% by 2100. CCC trains young adults to steward the land, bringing good fire back while keeping catastrophic wildfires at bay.

Gear Up

Each day, Corpsmembers gear up to make the world a better place. Check out what tools they use and picture what life is like training for careers in the fire service!
Wildland firefighting Corpsmembers work together to build a fire break, during emergency response.

Eaton Fire

Tahoe 1 & 2 work as a team to create a large-scale fire break in Altadena during the Eaton Fire in January 2025.
female firefighter using chain saw to cut up tree limbs

Fire Fuel Reduction

Pomona Fire Corpsmember Samantha Alarcon bucks up tree limbs during a fuel reduction project in the San Bernardino National Forest.
firefighters standing in rocky terrain with flames approaching

Airport Fire - 2020

Los Piños Corpsmembers navigate rocky terrain on initial attack of a wildfire burning in Riverside County.
Corpsmembers exercising using weighted medicine balls.

Exercising

Maintaining peak physical fitness is a priority for wildland firefighting Corpsmembers. Here, Placer Center Corpsmembers use weighted medicine balls to prepare for the rigors of fire season.
Redding Fire crew corpsmembers with a burn pile.

Redding Fuel Break

Wildland firefighting means preventing large wildfires from breaking out. Redding Center's Shasta 1 fire crew completed burn piles as part of a fuel break project with CAL FIRE.
corpsmembers in tarps completing shelter deployment drill

Training for All Situations

A Magalia Fire Center crew completes the fire shelter portion of their annual readiness drill, a skill they hope to never need on a fire, near Paynes Creek in Tehama County.
Wildland firefighting Corpsmembers hiking to location.

Extreme Terrain

A strike team of Fortuna 1 and Placer 2 fire crews hikes extremely steep terrain in the community of Topanga to construct a fire break along the edge of the Palisades Fire.
Corpsmembers working on a fuel reduction project.

Prescribed Burn Preps

Los Piños Corpsmembers remove ladder fuels from around large trees in the Cleveland National Forest above Lake Elsinore ahead of a prescribed burn.
Wildland firefighting Corpsmember using a McLeod.

McLeods in Action

Placer Center Corpsmember Cecilia Pierce uses her McLeod to reach bare mineral soil during a training hand line cut in Nevada County.
nighttime photos showing fire burning along trees in butte county during hte park fire

Nighttime at 2024 Park Fire

Magalia Corpsmembers worked through the night on Park Fire near Chico, using back burn strategies to reduce the fire fuel.
corpsmembers use fire hose near a fire truck in a parking lot

Hose Practice

As part of being wildland firefighters, Corpsmembers learn to use water from fire engines to create a hose lay and possibly put out hot spots. Here two Corpsmembers train at the Magalia Fire Center in Butte County.

Know Before You Go

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Schedule

Fire crews typically work four 10-hour shifts during the week and may be required to cover weekends during peak fire conditions. Crews will also be assigned staffing patterns and work 24-hour shifts at a moment’s notice when assigned to fire incidents.

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Emergencies

Corpsmembers must be willing to respond to wildfires, working closely to live fire, and be dispatched for lengthy periods of time with little notice. Fire crews may also respond to floods and other disasters.

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Eligibility

In addition to our standard eligibility requirements, Corpsmembers interested in joining a wildland firefighting hand crew must pass physical fitness tests and written exams to serve on a fire crew.

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Pass the Pack Test

Before Corpsmembers can start fire training, they must pass the pack test. The test is a three-mile walk over level terrain in 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack. Start training and track your progress! Connect with your Recruiter for any questions.

Track Your Fitness

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Study Safety Information

Safety is a priority on fire crews. Corpsmembers must pass course examinations, which include knowing Standard Firefighting Orders, Watch Out Situations, Five Common Denominators of Fire Behavior on Tragedy Fires, and Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones. Start studying before you go!

Start Studying Today

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Grooming Standards

Working on a wildland firefighting hand crew requires some additional standards for grooming. If you are interested in enrolling and becoming a wildland firefighter, please review this document so you are aware of the grooming expectations.

Fire Center Grooming Standards

Find Your Path

Work with CCC Career Navigators to chart out your path to success! CCC helps Corpsmembers leverage their skills and training to launch meaningful careers. Don’t believe us?! Hear from CCC alumni.
Path to Success - Name
Q

Donovan Prado

Firefighter 1
CAL FIRE

The CCC is the perfect place to explore careers working outdoors! This especially rings true for CCC Fresno Corpsmember, Donovan Prado. “The CCC showed me how hard and strenuous the work can get,” Donovan said. “And it gave me a glimpse of what working for CAL FIRE looks like.”

During his time with the CCC, Donovan attended the Ventura Training Academy and worked on the Fresno fire crew—known as Mid Valley 1. His biggest challenge? Hiking. All the up-hills and rough trails paid off though because Donovan is now a Firefighter 1 with the Tulare Unit! His parting advice for those thinking about taking the next step in their CCC Path To Success?

“You never know if it’s for you, if you don’t try.”

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Donovan Prado
Path to Success - Name
Q

Amanda Morrisroe

Firefighter 1
CAL FIRE
“I got a lot of certifications through the CCC. They’re (CAL FIRE) actually surprised I got all of them. I was like, ‘Yeah, I got it through the CCC.’ It’s cool because my old captains, I look up to them a lot and they helped me out—they pushed me, they really did. They told me what was expected of me before I joined CAL FIRE. They gave me a heads up. And I’m finally here. The season I did with the CCC helped with that.”
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Amanda Morrisroe
Path to Success - Name
Q

Jack Weinrich

Forestry Technician & Helitack Firefighter
U.S. Forest Service

Jack Weinrich joined the CCC Magalia Fire Center ready to take advantage of all available opportunities. “I was able to receive the necessary certifications and training for a job in wildland fire,” he said after two years on a fire crew.

Now Jack’s advancing on his CCC Path To Success by becoming a Forestry Technician and Helitack Firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service! “Without the CCC I would not have had nearly as solid a foundation for my fire career,” he said. “I would absolutely recommend the CCC to anyone beginning their career, or simply trying to find themselves.”

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Jack Weinrich
Path to Success - Name
Q

Francisco Morales

Firefighter 1
CAL FIRE

Francisco Morales joined the CCC Camarillo Center determined to become a wildland firefighter! While serving on a CCC Fire crew, he got to work – training, earning certifications, and even becoming first saw!

Now employed by CAL FIRE Tehama-Glenn Unit, all the effort has paid off on his CCC Path To Success. For young adults looking to transform their life – even those unsure of their career path – Francisco recommends the CCC!

“Go for it! You live one life, try everything that is possible. You never know, you might just fall in love with it.”

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Francisco Morales

Explore Our Locations

CCC offers wildland firefighting training at 13 locations across California.

Residential

  • Camarillo Center
  • Delta Center
  • Fortuna Center
  • Los Padres Center
  • Los Piños Center
  • Magalia Fire Center
  • Mendocino Center
  • Placer Center
  • Tahoe Center

Non-Residential

  • Fresno Center
  • Inland Empire Center
  • Pomona Center
  • San Diego Center

The CCC also supports, administratively, four hand crews operated at the Ventura Training Center in Camarillo. This program is a partnership with CAL FIRE and CDCR.

Camarillo Center

The Camarillo Center partners with the CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo Unit to operate four wildland firefighting hand crews. As many as 60 Corpsmembers serve on these four crews.

Known as Camarillo 1, 2, 3, and 4, the crews primarily serve Ventura County with initial fire attack and suppression. Ventura County is one of six contract counties in the state, where the county provides State Responsibility Area coverage. However, the San Luis Obispo Unit does provide coverage to Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

Visit Camarillo Center

Delta Center

The Delta Center partners with CAL FIRE to operate two year-round firefighting hand crews – known as Stockton 1 and 2. As many as 30 Delta Corpsmembers serve on these two hand crews.

The center partners with the CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit, which covers Tuolumne, Calaveras, eastern portions of San Joaquin, and eastern portions of Stanislaus counties.

Visit Delta Center

Fortuna Center

The CCC Fortuna Center operates a wildland firefighting hand crew in collaboration with the CAL FIRE Humboldt-Del Norte Unit. As many as 15 Corpsmembers serve on the hand crew.

The Humboldt-Del Norte Unit provides coverage for all State Responsibility Areas in Del Norte, Humboldt, and southwestern Trinity counties.

Visit Fortuna Center

Fresno Center

The CCC Fresno Center operates two wildland firefighting hand crews in collaboration with the CAL FIRE Fresno-Kings Unit. As many as 30 Corpsmembers serve on the hand crews, which are known as Mid Valley 1 and Mid Valley 2.

The Fresno-Kings Unit provides coverage for all State Responsibility Areas in Fresno and Kings county.

Visit Fresno Center

Inland Empire Center

The Inland Empire Center partners with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to operate a wildland firefighting hand crew. As many as 15 to 18 Corpsmembers serve on the crew.

The Inland 5 fire crew works within the California Desert District for BLM. BLM crews also incorporate National Park Service firefighters. The district is responsible for protecting and preserving nearly 11 million acres of land.

Visit Inland Empire Center

Los Padres Center

The CCC Los Padres Center operates two wildland firefighting hand crews in collaboration with the CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo Unit. As many as 30 Corpsmembers serve on these hand crews.

The San Luis Obispo Unit, or SLU, provides coverage for all State Responsibility Areas across San Luis Obispo County. The hand crews are known as Toro 1 and Toro 2, as the unit manages the Toro Fire Center.

Visit Los Padres Center

Los Piños Center

The CCC Los Piños Center operates four wildland firefighting hand crews in collaboration with the CAL FIRE Riverside Unit. As many as 60 Corpsmembers serve on these hand crews.

The CAL FIRE Riverside Unit provides State Responsibility Area (SRA) coverage for the entire county and is also known as the Riverside County Fire Department or RVC Fire. Corpsmembers may also assist in providing fire coverage to nearby Orange County, which is one of six contract counties providing SRA coverage in the state.

Visit Los Piños Center

Magalia Fire Center

The CCC Magalia Fire Center operates four wildland firefighting hand crews in collaboration with the CAL FIRE Butte Unit. As many as 60 Corpsmembers serve on these four hand crews.

The Butte Unit provides coverage for all State Responsibility Areas in Butte County, and some small portions of Tehama County’s southeastern border.

Visit Magalia Fire Center

Mendocino Center

The CCC Mendocino Center operates two wildland firefighting hand crews in collaboration with the CAL FIRE Mendocino Unit. As many as 30 Corpsmembers serve on the two hand crews.

The Mendocino Unit provides coverage for all State Responsibility Areas in Mendocino County, as well as a small portion of southeastern Trinity County.

Visit Mendocino Center

Placer Center

The CCC Placer Center operates two wildland firefighting hand crews in collaboration with the CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit. As many as 30 Corpsmembers serve on these two hand crews.

The Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit, also known as NEU, provides coverage for all State Responsibility Areas across Nevada, Placer, Sierra, Sutter, and Yuba counties.

Visit Placer Center

Pomona Center

The CCC Pomona Center operates two wildland firefighting hand crews in collaboration with the CAL FIRE San Bernardino-Mono-Inyo Unit. As many as 15 Corpsmembers serve on each hand crew.

The CAL FIRE San Bernardino-Mono-Inyo Unit, also known as BDU, provides State Responsibility Area coverage for all three counties. Corpsmembers assigned to the Pomona 1 fire crew report to the Pomona Center daily and commute to the BDU Headquarters in San Bernardino before starting project work or responding to wildfires.

Visit Pomona Center

San Diego Center

The CCC San Diego Center operates two wildland firefighting hand crews in collaboration with the CAL FIRE San Diego unit. As many as 15 Corpsmembers serve each the hand crew.

The San Diego Unit provides coverage to all State Responsibility Areas in San Diego and Imperial counties.

Visit San Diego Center

Tahoe Center

The CCC Tahoe Center operates two wildland firefighting hand crews in collaboration with the CAL FIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit. As many as 30 Corpsmembers serve on the two hand crews.

The Amador-El Dorado Unit, or AEU, provide coverage to all State Responsibility Areas in Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, Sacramento, and the northeastern most portion of San Joaquin counties.

Visit Tahoe Center

Ask Us Anything

We know you have questions about wildland firefighting. Here are some of the common questions we get. Have more questions? Connect with us!

Talk to A Recruiter

Do I need prior experience to join?

No prior experience is required to join a CCC wildland firefighting crew. In order to go through fire training and join a hand crew you must demonstrate adequate phsyical fitness. Corpsmembers must also pass all tests during training, however no other experience, training, or courses are required.

What are the grooming standards for CCC fire crews?

CCC follows CAL FIRE’s grooming standards, which outline requirements for hair and jewelry. These are in place to maintain safety on the fire line. Read CCC’s Wildland Firefighting Grooming Standards.

What happens if I fail one of the required tests?

Corpsmembers who do not pass the physical fitness test or written exams are able to transfer to another residential CCC center or to a non-fire crew, known as a resource or grade crew. Individuals may be able to retake the wildland firefighting tests at a later date.
I have a disability. Can I still join?
Possibly, yes. We encourage all young adults to apply to enroll in the CCC. Wildland firefighters must possess the necessary strength and agility to join the crew. Additionally, firefighting Corpsmembers must have adequate color vision, corrected 20/30 eyesight, and uncorrected hearing adequacy.

If you have a disability and you’re unsure if you can join, we encourage you to fill out our online application and connect with a Recruiter. You may also enquire directly with our Equal Employment Opportunity unit by emailing eeo@ccc.ca.gov.

Will the CCC help me get my EMT certification?

Possibly. Most CCC centers with fire crews do have partnerships to allow for Corpsmembers to earn their EMT certification. However, spots are limited and Corpsmembers may be required to pay for the courses themselves. Talk with your Recruiter about which centers are able to offer this training opportunity.

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