U.S. Forest Service implements protections to limit health risks for wildland firefighters

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Forest Service, along with the Department of the Interior, are taking new steps to reduce hazardous exposure for federal wildland firefighters this year.

Recognizing the extreme conditions and prolonged exposure to smoke, ash and airborne particles that wildland firefighters face, the agency says it is expanding access to N95 respirators on the fireline, requiring training and standardized decontamination protocols.

It will be the first time federal wildland firefighters are authorized to use N95 respirators on the fireline after receiving formal training on their safe use in the wildland fire environment. The U.S. Forest Service says that decontamination will also be integrated into daily operations in order to reduce cumulative exposure and potential long-term health implications. Decontamination practices include showers, gear cleaning and clean-air recovery.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the action reflects a commitment Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins outlined in the 2026 Wildfire Readiness Memo to minimize health impacts for wildland firefighters to the maximum extent possible through immediate interim measures while pursuing long-term solutions.

“Secretary Rollins has made it clear that we will no longer stand by as firefighters face long-term health risks just from doing their job,” said Forest Service Deputy Chief of Fire and Aviation Management, Sarah Fisher. “The action we are taking today is about doing right by the people who put themselves between our communities and escalating wildfire threats. Improving respiratory safety and expanding decontamination practices are practical, common-sense measures that will make a real difference on the ground.”

While no respirator currently meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for wildland firefighting, the agency considers this decision as a practical protection to reduce immediate risk. Both departments are pursuing a full respiratory protection program that is compliant with OSHA requirements, according to the U.S. Forest Service.