Wildland Fires

At a glance

More than 400 on-duty wildland firefighting fatalities occurred in the United States from 2000-2019. Wildland firefighters are exposed to biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, psychosocial, and safety hazards. NIOSH offers resources to help prevent on-duty injuries, illnesses, and deaths from hazards and exposures associated with fighting wildland fires.

Overview

Members of the Wyoming Wildland Firefighter Hotshot Crew monitor a prescribed burn as it makes its way down a hillside.
Members of the Wyoming Wildland Firefighter Hotshot Crew monitor a prescribed burn as it makes its way down a hillside. Image courtesy of the US Forest Service Technology and Development Program.

Every year, millions of acres of land burn across the United States and wildland firefighters (WFFs) are asked to protect our lives, homes, and forests. But wildland fires are unpredictable and dangerous. More than 400 on-duty WFF fatalities occurred between 2000-2019, based on data compiled in the NIOSH Wildland Firefighter On-Duty Death Surveillance System from three data sources.123 Common hazards faced on the fire line can include burnovers/entrapments, chemical exposures, heat-related illnesses and injuries, smoke and dust inhalation, vehicle-related injuries (including aircraft), slips, trips, and falls, loud noise exposure, and falling debris.4 In addition, because of prolonged intense physical exertion, WFFs are at risk for sudden cardiac deaths and rhabdomyolysis (overexertion leading to muscle tissue damage).

Spotlight‎

Wildland Fire Fighting: Hot Tips to Stay Safe and Healthy

NIOSH offers resources for fire departments, firefighters, and partner organizations to prevent on-duty injuries, illnesses, and deaths from hazards and exposures associated with fighting wildland fires.

NIOSH is actively recruiting wildland firefighters to join the National Firefighting Registry for Cancer.

CDC and NIOSH also provide resources for workers regarding hazards they encounter when cleaning up after a wildland fire.

NIOSH information on hazards related to structure fires can be found on the Structure Fires page.

Resources and Publications

NIOSH Science Blog articles about Wildland Firefighting
Wildland Firefighting Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) Reports
Wildland Firefighter Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Reports

Exposures to Occupational Hazards and Health Effects

The Wildland Firefighter Exposure and Health Effect (WFFEHE) Study: Rationale, Design, and Methods of a Repeated-Measure Study
Arterial stiffness, oxidative stress, and smoke exposure in wildland firefighters
Exposures and cross-shift lung function declines in wildland firefighters
Acute upper and lower respiratory effects in wildland firefighters
Where occupation and environment overlap: US Forest Service worker exposure to Libby Amphibole fibers

Wildland Firefighter Fatalities

Wildland Firefighter Deaths in the United States: A Comparison of Existing Surveillance Systems
Aviation-Related Wildland Firefighting Fatalities - United States, 2000-2013
Preventing Deaths and Injuries of Firefighters Operating Modified Excess/Surplus Vehicles
Hazard ID: Firefighters Exposed to Electrical Hazards During Wildland Fire Operations
Hazard ID: Traffic Hazards to Firefighters While Working Along Roadways

Rhabdomyolysis

Firefighter resources for rhabdomyolysis.

Rhabdomyolysis and Work

Hearing Loss

Hearing loss resources for firefighters.

Additional Resources

Wildland Fire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials
Joint Fire Science Program – Wildland Fire Smoke Health Effects on Wildland Firefighters and the Public
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Wildfires
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on how to stay safe and he...
Stop, Think, and Talk, before Acting: United States Forest Service Video

Other Wildland Firefighting Information

Federal and non-federal wildland firefighting agencies provide resources for wildland firefighters.

Federal Resources

National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)
InciWeb – Incident Information System
Wildfires – Occupational Safety and Health Administration
United States Department of Interior Office of Wildland Fire
United States Forest Service
United States Fire Administration

Non-federal Resources

National Fire Protection Association – Firewise
International Association of Wildland Fire
National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy
National Interagency Fire Center
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Content Source:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  1. Federal Emergency Management Agency, Fire Administration (US). [2017] Fire Fighter Fatalities in the United States. Date accessed: January, 2017.
  2. National Wildfire Coordinating Group, Risk Management Committee. [2017] Safety Gram Archive. Date Accessed January, 2017.
  3. National Fire Protection Association (US). [2017] Fatalities and Injuries. Date accessed: January, 2017.
  4. Britton C, et al., Epidemiology of injuries to wildland firefighters. Am J Emerg Med. 2013 Feb; 31(2):339-45. [Epub 2012 Nov 15].