The Wildland Fire Management branch helps keep people and their homes safe from fires in Yukon communities and make sure that future fires won't damage communities and buildings.
As a crew member, you’ll work from one of the Yukon’s 6 fire centres as the backbone of our responses. Teams of 3 firefighters work together to respond to fires and other emergencies.
If needed, your crew may also have the chance to work outside of the Yukon helping other fire crews. This may be in Canada or internationally.
How to apply
Applications for the 2025 fire season have not begun. For more information about information about the application process, contact Cassandra Henderson at (867) 334-1283 or email cassandra.henderson@yukon.ca.
Crewmember training
Your career starts at a 2-week training camp in late April where you’ll learn the basics of your trade. These skills include:
- Getting to know how fire weather and fire behaviour work
- The different ways to manage wildfires
- Learning how to use firefighting tools like pumps, hand tools and ground ignition devices
- How to use and maintain a chainsaw
- General bushcraft knowledge, orienteering and radio operations
- How to safely travel on all-terrain vehicles and in helicopters
Once you’re trained, you’ll hold qualifications you can use for the rest of your life:
- WHMIS and Transportation of Dangerous Goods
- Restricted Operator Certificate (Aeronautical)
- Incident Command System Level 100
- Standard First Aid and CPR-C (at minimum)
A normal work day starts with a briefing and could involve anything from initial-attack readiness or risk reduction work. You should expect to take part in a physical fitness routine each day on base. If you’re assigned to a wildfire incident, you’re likely to spend the day applying your skills for up to 14 days in a row. Work days could be 12 to 16 hours long. It’s hard work – but you’re making a difference when people count on our help the most. Multi-day wildfire assignments also usually lead to working overtime hours.
Essential qualifications
Your resume must show how you meet the following qualifications. Further consideration of your application is solely based on the information you provide in your resume.
- Experience reading and writing of basic documentation;
- Experience in outdoor activities; and
- Prior forestry experience, including wildland firefighting experience would be considered an asset.
Desired knowledge, skills and suitability
- Interest in living or working in a wilderness environment;
- Ability to work in a team environment;
- Ability to take direction and follow instructions;
- Ability to take initiative, exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in stressful situations;
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in diverse and demanding conditions; and
- Ability to recognize hazardous situations and take corrective actions.
Additional information
Conditions of employment
- Successful completion of crewmember training and the WFX-Fit fitness test
- Valid Yukon Class 5 driver’s license (or equivalent)
Job Requirements
- Long work hours and stand-by availability may be required during periods of high fire danger;
- Travel to communities within Yukon and elsewhere may be required; and
- In periods of elevated fire activity, you may be required to work remotely, with limited notice, for up to 14 days at a time.