When I was hired on to serve as a Hotshot with the USFS back in 2010, I had to invest wisely in my first pair of wildland fire boots for my rookie year. I always invested in the best gear I could research, which back then was around $450 US. One of the most essential pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Wildland Firefighters, are your boots. After my 2nd Hotshot season in 2011, I already needed them resoled, which was approximately $150 in repair costs. All Wildland Firefighters are on their feet, in their boots, for their entire shift. While assigned to a live wildfire, they will be in their boots 16+ hours a day and may hike hundreds of miles in a season. Here in 2024, those personal expenses have significantly increased. 

Wildland Firefighters are in their boots for shifts of 16+ hours and can hike for hundreds of miles a season. Standard equipment requirements outlines boots of at least 8 inches high, lace-type, leather work boots, with melt-resistant lug soles, preferably NFPA Certified. Working with a top quality boot manufacturer means that many will offer repair services to increase the life of the boots. To replace the lugged soles or rebuild the leather uppers may cost $150-$300. To purchase new boots ranges from $400-$600 for a top tier of PPE boots.

This is a new grassroots program launched in 2024. Our initial available funding is at $5000 of support from our founder. We hope to grow this with quarterly raffle drawings. That will require more public awareness, sharing , and donations.