BIA Division of Forestry

BIA Division of Forestry Learn more about the BIA Division of Forestry online at bia.gov/DOF

The National Indian Forestry and Wildland Fire Management Program is a cooperative effort of the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of the Deputy Director - Trust Services, Division of Forestry and Wildland Fire Management, Intertribal Timber Council and individual Tribal governments on reservations that contain forest resources. Nationally, this accounts fo

r approximately 18 million acres of forested land within approximately 60 million acres of total land with wildland fire management responsibility. About 2,500 BIA & Tribal employees work together in Indian Country to protect and manage this federal land held in trust for client Tribes located on reservations. Our organization is recognized for its leadership and innovation in the management of forested land in North America. We strive to continually improve and enhance Indian forests to equip them with the needs of Indian people now and for generations to come. Timber, waterways, fish & wildlife populations, livestock, cultural resources, traditional medicine, spiritual practices, recreation, firewood usage, renewable energy and many other resources & activities benefit from good strategic management developed and implemented on a reservation. Depending on a Tribe's management objectives, wise stewardship of these resources and activities may also produce significant economic benefits for Tribal enterprises, Tribal governments and individual Tribal members (per capita dividends). Timber production is our flagship program and we are recognized as the leading expert on sustainable forestry through uneven-aged management. Our organization also plays a critical role in management of wildland fire throughout North America on all land: federal, state, county and private. Indian fire crews are the backbone of the national fire suppression force and are known for their firefighting skill, bravery and dedication to excellence.

The BIA Timber Team recently traveled to Washington to support the Hoh Indian Tribe with timber sale preparation. Workin...
07/28/2026

The BIA Timber Team recently traveled to Washington to support the Hoh Indian Tribe with timber sale preparation. Working alongside Puget Sound Agency foresters, the team laid out harvest units, marked boundaries, and collected GPS data across more than 150 acres. They identified areas where harvesting trees will promote healthy forest regeneration and long-term forest health. The team will return later this year to continue timber marking and cruising as work on the project moves forward.

This work supports tribal sovereignty over their natural resources and aligns with the Trump administration's efforts to enhance forest management, reduce wildfire risks, and decrease reliance on imported timber while creating jobs, lowering constructions costs, and making the United States more self-reliant.

07/27/2026

The Bureau of Indian Affairs mission is to enhance the quality of life, promote economic opportunities, and to carry out the federal responsibilities entrusted to us to protect and improve the trust assets of American Indians and Alaska Natives. We accomplish this by directly empowering Tribal gover...

07/22/2026

Looking for your next opportunity?

Support Tribal self-governance as a Self Determination Officer with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.

This position serves as the lead contracting authority for the award, administration, and oversight of Indian Self-Determination (P.L. 93-638) contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, while providing technical guidance to support effective tribal self-governance program operations.

GS-13 | 1 Vacancy | Multiple Duty Stations
Apply by July 29, 2026
View the full announcement and apply through USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/876659000

07/22/2026
07/02/2026

Happy National Wildland Firefighter Day! Today we recognize their dedication, professionalism, and sacrifice.
🔥
Duty. Respect. Integrity.

Our hearts go out to their loved ones and the entire wildland fire community. đź’ś
06/29/2026

Our hearts go out to their loved ones and the entire wildland fire community. đź’ś

We are saddened to share the identities of the three firefighters we lost responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado on Saturday. The firefighters were assigned to the Rifle Helitack crew and were engaged in initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire when the incident occurred.

The deceased firefighters have been identified as:
đź’śEmily Barker, 38, of Clinton Township, Michigan, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Rifle Helitack.

đź’śNick Hutcherson, 27 of Glendale, Arizona, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Kaibab National Forest.

đź’śSydney Watson, 27, of Warrior, Alabama, assigned to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Rifle Helitack.

Two additional firefighters were injured during the incident and are receiving medical care.

“We mourn the loss of three firefighters who answered the call to protect others and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow citizens,” said U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy. “Our thoughts are with their families, loved ones, friends and crewmates as they face an unimaginable loss. These firefighters embodied the courage, professionalism and selflessness that define the wildland fire service. Please join me and my family in keeping our thoughts and prayers with the families of the fallen and our injured firefighters and their families.”

The full press release can be found here: https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/identities-released-three-firefighters-who-died-responding-knowles-fire-colorado

06/08/2026

If you’re near wildfire activity, don’t fly your drone.

Unauthorized drones put wildland firefighters and aviation crews at risk and can force firefighting aircraft to stop flying, delaying wildfire response efforts.

If you fly, we can’t. And during a wildfire, every second counts.

Learn more: https://knowbeforeyoufly.org

Photo by U.S. Wildland Fire Service

03/03/2026

Where terrain limits, our wildland fire personnel adapt.

Short haul is a specialized technique used in wildland firefighting for rapid, emergency extraction of injured personnel or insertion of firefighters into remote and sometimes technical locations where ground access may be challenging.

It’s one of many aviation capabilities that support safe and effective wildland fire operations.

Photo courtesy of the National Park Service, short haul at Yosemite National Park.

02/27/2026
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02/27/2026

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Address

3833 S Development Avenue
Boise, ID
83705

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