It can be easy to take for granted the sense of community built in the fire world until it’s abruptly taken away. Part of the job of being a wildland firefighter is that for many, the gig is a 6-month commitment and then we’re let go. From 100 to zero in an instant. And that can be hard.

In July, I had the privilege of joining a type 2 throw-together crew for a two-week fire assignment to Montana. These temporary crews are a 20-person handcrew with a mix of individuals from each district on the forest. An excellent time to meet new people in your profession & forge new friendships.