Over View

The Cedar City Hotshots is a relatively new organization of men and women who are ranked among the top wildland firefighters (Type I Crews) in the nation. The path we have chosen to get there involves: a positive attitude, teamwork, dedication, hard work, resourcefulness, and tenacity. These are the core values in which the crew is centered. These are also the values we expect from all of our crewmembers.

The effectiveness of any organization can be no greater than the morale of its personnel. Recognition of the need for high morale has fostered a high degree of esprit de corps among Type I crews. Hotshots consider themselves the best at what they do, many come back year after year because of the sense of camaraderie, teamwork, and unity of purpose that hotshot crews offer.

Interagency Hotshot Crews (IHC's) started in Southern California in the late 1940's on the Cleveland and Angeles National Forests. The name Hotshot came about because these crews were always sent to the hottest part the fire. Today there are roughly 90 Hotshot crews nation wide.

Hotshot life is very demanding and, therefore, not for everyone. During a busy fire season, it is not unusual to put in 26 or 27 working days a month, all of which are away from home. Assignments, or "rolls", generally last 14 days at a time. At the end of a roll, crews typically take one or two days off (R&R), and then are back at it again. This cycle continues for around 5 months. Please give serious consideration to these facts before you apply. Crewmembers are expected to be available 24 hours a day 7 days a week, except on R&R days.

While on assignment, workdays normally last anywhere from 14 to 16 hours, and sometimes the workdays can last 24-plus hours per shift. Each person carries with them enough food, water, and supplies to last them at least 24 hours, and these shifts can be grueling. Please see the Fitness Page for a list of crew fitness standards. Crews travel primarily by truck (crew carrier). These vehicles become a home away from home. Sometimes crews also travel by plane, bus, or train. Most large fires are in the Western States, but crews have been known to travel to the East Coast, Canada, Mexico, and Hawaii to fight fire; or in cooperation with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) to take on tasks such as hurricane relief, space shuttle crashes, and diseased chicken disposal.

Cedar City is located 2.5 hours North of Las Vegas and 3.5 hours South of Salt Lake City. Because of its location relative to Bryce Canyon NP, Zion NP, Cedar Breaks NM, Capital Reef NP, the Dixie NF, the Fishlake NF, the Arizona Strip BLM office, the Cedar City BLM office, and the Richfield BLM office; Cedar City is an ideal location for fire resources. Other resources stationed in Cedar City include a tanker base, a light helicopter, a fire use module, several Type IV and Type VI engines, an I.A. hand crew, and a Fuels Crew. A stick of jumpers is also stationed in Cedar City for part of the summer. For a detailed account of the surrounding area check out the Links Page and click on the link that says "About Cedar City".

Cedar City IHC was established in 2001 under the National Fire Plan. Originally the crew was named after its home forest Dixie. They were called the Dixie Hotshots for the first two years while Jon Lee was the Superintendent. In 2003, Robert Barrett took the reigns and the crew was renamed the Cedar City Hotshots. Also, in 2003, the crew gained official Type I status, and was no longer a trainee crew. In 2004 the Cedar City Hotshots moved into their permanent new home. A brand new Interagency Fire Center was erected to house fire resources from the Dixie National Forest, The Cedar City BLM, and Zion National Park.

Most Wild Land Fire positions are seasonal, and employment usually lasts from May through October. Pre- and Post-season employment are sometimes available depending on weather and financing. The tentative start date for Cedar City IHC is May 15. After their initial 80 hours of training, the crew will "go on the board" and become available for national dispatch.

Crew Barracks are not available in Cedar City, but there are plenty of housing options available in town. Also, rooms are available through permanent crewmembers who have rented houses. Check out the Links Page for a listing of available housing. Because Cedar City is a college town, there is usually a great deal of off-campus student housing readily available during the summer months.

How to apply: on the Links Page is a link that connects to the AVUE Web Site. Applications are taken online via this site, or call toll free 1-877-813-3476 Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. MST.