On the Fireline

I am who I am because of the experiences I’ve had on the fireline.

I AM MOST MYSELF WHEN I’M MOVING. This is true of everything I do, and particularly firefighting. I crave being on the move, seeing new country, and working so hard I can barely remain upright while eating dinner at fire camp. Knowing what it is to slide into a sleeping bag feeling as if there isn’t another ounce of exertion in my body has empowered me in ways I can’t quite describe—I am who I am because of the experiences I’ve had on the fireline.

The job is different every day. You can be napping in the truck one minute and be digging “hotline” the next. You work all day on a task, then you go to a camp and eat and sleep, then wake up and do it again, usually for fourteen-day assignments. I appreciate the hard work and long hours, but I particularly enjoy the bonds you create with the people you work with. Even if we get annoyed with each other, there’s no better way to make good friends than to spend every waking hour together, traveling, eating, and lying in your sleeping bag next to them.

I recommend firefighting to anyone who has entertained even the briefest thought of doing it. Whether you think you’re not “tough” enough, if you have the true desire to work hard and can put aside the comforts you’re used to, you’ll find that you have a lot more grit than you thought.

AMANDA MONTHEI