National Smokejumper Association

NSA Supports Federal Wildland Firefighter Pay Adjustment

Posted: December 18, 2024

Dear Mr. Majority Leader, Mr. Minority Leader, Mr. Majority Speaker, and Mr. Minority Leader:

The National Smokejumper Association supports the bipartisan House and Senate Federal Wildland Firefighter pay adjustment in the next Continuing Resolution or Emergency Supplemental to eliminate a federal wildland firefighters pay cliff that will have extremely adverse effects on our nation’s response to wildland fires and the financial security of those who protect our natural resources.

Today, 15,000 federal U.S. Forest Service (USDA) and Bureau of Land Management (DOI) wildland firefighters endure longer, and more dangerous wildfire seasons each year, with the loss of life and property increasing at a phenomenal rate. A major concern is the recruitment, retention, and support of these professional and highly trained wildland firefighters.

A temporary firefighter pay adjustment has expired, resulting in our federal wildland firefighters enduring a pay cut of up to 50% of base pay or $20,000. The pending legislation is a permanent and essential solution to the pay cliff problem. The House and Senate Interior 2025 Appropriations Bills include a permanent pay solution supported by Democratic and Republican Committee and Subcommittee Chairs and Ranking Members. This legislation would:

1. Permanently increase Federal wildland firefighter pay;
2. Establish a new WFF pay scale; and
3. Establish additional WFF pay supplements.

The Senate has shown its support voting for temporary pay increases by passing Continuing Resolutions since 2023 and in FY 2024 appropriations; however, the authority for these temporary pay increases will expire.

The National Smokejumper Association (NSA) is Montana-chartered 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization comprised of 1,400 current or former smokejumpers. Through a cadre of volunteers and partnerships, the NSA is dedicated to preserving the history and lore of smokejumping, maintaining and restoring our nation’s forest and rangeland resources, and responding to special needs of smokejumpers and their families.

We appreciate your leadership getting the Senate to pass this legislation to adequately remunerate and support wildland fire fighters who are on the front lines protecting our nation’s forests, rangelands, and adjacent properties. Our men and women wildland firefighters deserve your support for a permanent pay provision for the critical and often dangerous, high risk work they perform for our nation. Thank you for your support and leadership on behalf of our wildland fire fighters and their families.

Sincerely yours,

Michael J. Bina, President
National Smokejumper Association