As wildland firefighters battle an above-average 2026 fire season across the Pacific Northwest and western United States, federal legislators are renewing calls for action on firefighter pay and hazard compensation — issues that have remained unresolved despite bipartisan support on Capitol Hill.
Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act
Representative Joe Neguse and Democratic colleagues have called on Congress to pass the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act, which would codify and build upon pay increases authorized under the 2021 bipartisan Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act. The legislation is designed to protect the raises that federal wildland firefighters received and prevent those gains from being eroded.
Representative Josh Harder, speaking alongside federal wildland firefighters at a Capitol press event, emphasized the urgency: "We have to keep our duty and our promise to those who stand between our families and disaster."
Hazard Pay for Prescribed Burns and Smokejumper Training
Senator John Curtis of Utah has co-sponsored the Wildland Firefighter Hazard Pay Correction Act, bipartisan legislation that would extend hazard pay to wildland firefighters and smokejumpers for prescribed burns and training jumps — activities that currently do not qualify under existing pay rules despite carrying comparable physical risk to active wildfire suppression.
The bill expresses a sense of Congress that firefighters engaged in prescribed fire operations and smokejumper training take on risks comparable to direct wildfire suppression and should receive fair compensation accordingly.
FY2026 Funding Gaps
Despite the legislative activity, a key fire management initiative was left unfunded in the FY2026 budget. Congress directed a feasibility study for a proposed program rather than providing direct operational funding. The study contract has not yet been awarded, with results not expected until late 2026 at the earliest and more likely in early 2027, according to reporting by Aerial Fire Magazine.
Pay Rates and Workforce Challenges
Entry-level federal wildland firefighters currently earn approximately $20.93 per hour in base pay — though total seasonal income is significantly augmented by hazard pay, overtime, and administrative uncontrollable overtime (AUO) during active fire assignments. Workforce retention remains a persistent challenge for federal fire agencies, with experienced firefighters frequently departing for higher-paying positions in the private sector or with state and local agencies.
Why It Matters for the Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is directly affected by federal firefighter workforce capacity. During active fire periods like the current 2026 season, the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center coordinates the assignment of hundreds of federal crews from across the country. If the federal workforce is depleted by retention problems, that pipeline of resources becomes less reliable precisely when PNW communities need it most.
Advocates argue that investing in competitive pay and benefits for wildland firefighters is ultimately less expensive than the alternative — a diminished workforce unable to match the growing scale and intensity of western wildfire seasons.
How to Contact Your Representative
Residents who want to weigh in on wildland firefighter pay and fire management funding can contact their federal representatives through Congress.gov. The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) and Grassroots Wildland Firefighters organizations both provide resources for public engagement on these issues.