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Forest Fire Fighter
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
There are several different types of wildland firefighting crews in Alberta:
Duties and responsibilities vary from one type of crew to another but, in general, wildland firefighters:
Crews may be flown into remote locations to fight fires that are difficult to reach by other means.
Wildland firefighters work outdoors in all weather conditions, usually in isolated areas. Their work is dangerous and physically demanding. Occupational hazards include smoke, intense heat, falling trees and branches, wildlife and strong winds. Wind can quickly turn a small wildfire into a large, more complex wildfire.
Wildland firefighters are required to bend, stoop and crouch while wearing protective gear and carrying heavy equipment. They also must work quickly on steep and uneven terrain. They carry and use equipment such as hand tools, chain saws, water pumps and hoses, often for long periods.
Wildland firefighters may be required to work up to 24-day shifts and may be relocated anywhere in the province as needed.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Silviculture and forestry workers
2023 OaSIS: 84111.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Wildland firefighters need:
All candidates for wildland firefighter must maintain good health and physical fitness. For example, they must have the strength and agility to climb and balance when moving over rough terrain.
They should enjoy having routine, organized work punctuated by periods of intense activity, and technical activities such as operating 2-way radios and meteorological instruments.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 12 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 26, 2021 and Nov 13, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Walking | 10 |
|---|---|
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : First Aid Certificate | 10 |
| Computer Systems: Valid driver's licence | 9 |
| Work Site Environment: Hot | 9 |
| Work Site Environment: Wet/damp | 9 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 9 |
| Work Site Environment: Outdoors | 9 |
| Work Setting: Various locations | 8 |
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Certificate | 8 |
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : CPR Certificate | 8 |
In Alberta, wildland firefighters must successfully complete a training program at the Hinton Training Centre. For information about training and employment, see the Government of Alberta website.
Candidates will undergo medical screening and physical testing to ensure their health and physical fitness for the job.
The following qualifications are assets when seeking employment as a wildland firefighter:
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Wildland firefighters are employed by Government of Alberta and contractors. Most are employed on a seasonal basis from April through late October.
The province of Alberta maintains a complement of about 3,000 certified firefighters. Many move on to full-time work in other fields, so employment turnover is high in this occupation.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Silviculture and forestry workers
2016 NOC: 8422
80.3% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Rates of pay for certified wildland firefighters range from $21.83 to $26.87 an hour (Source: Government of Alberta, 2021 estimates).
Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre website: www.ciffc.ca
Canadian Wildland Fire Information System website: cwfis.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca
Government of Alberta website, wildfire information and recruitment: wildfire.alberta.ca
International Association of Wildland Fire website: www.iawfonline.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 05, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
