Golden Eagles Interagency Hotshots/Facebook
Compiled by David Rhodes
November is Native American Heritage Month, and Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 is Native American Heritage Day.
U.S. National Native American Heritage Day is observed the day after Thanksgiving. Native Americans are accorded special honor on this day, and their rich cultures, accomplishments, contributions, and heritage are celebrated.
There are several well established Native American Wildland fire crews throughout the United States. Here are a few well-known Native American crews that continue to bravely serve in the fight to contain wildland fires and protect our communities.
Chief Mountain Hotshots
This crew is based on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Montana, and has been a fully certified IHC since 1990. They are known as the “Warriors of the Forest”.
The Chief Mountain Hotshots, established in 1992, are an elite wildland fire crew based in the northern Rocky Mountains, specifically in the Blackfeet Nation of Montana. Named after Chief Mountain, a prominent peak on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, the crew is known for its commitment to fighting wildfires, particularly in rugged, remote areas.
The crew was formed as a response to the increasing need for specialized fire management teams capable of handling complex, high-intensity fires in challenging terrain. Initially composed of Blackfeet tribal members, the Chief Mountain Hotshots have become a symbol of strength and resilience, providing professional firefighting services while also fostering cultural pride within the Blackfeet Nation. The Hotshots are part of the U.S. Forest Service’s elite “Hotshot” teams, trained in wildland firefighting techniques such as direct fire suppression, line construction, and safety operations.
Over the years, the Chief Mountain Hotshots have responded to numerous major wildfires across the western United States, often working in collaboration with other teams to protect communities, natural resources, and ecosystems. Their reputation for excellence and teamwork has made them one of the most respected fire crews in the country, highlighting the critical role of indigenous communities in wildland fire management.
Golden Eagles Interagency Hotshot Crew
This crew is based on the Sycuan Indian Reservation in San Diego County, California, and has been a fully certified IHC since 2005.
The Golden Eagles Interagency Hotshot Crew (GEOIHC) was formed in 2004 as part of an effort to create an elite, highly trained wildland firefighting team capable of responding to the most challenging fires in the United States. Based in the Pacific Northwest, the crew is an interagency team, composed of firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and other agencies. The Golden Eagles are known for their readiness, physical endurance, and expertise in wildfire suppression.
The crew is based in the city of Prineville, Oregon, and is named after the golden eagle, a powerful and graceful bird that symbolizes strength, courage, and keen vision—traits that reflect the crew’s values. The Golden Eagles have gained recognition for their work in some of the most extreme and dangerous firefighting environments, working on wildfires across the U.S., often in mountainous, remote areas.
Fort Apache Interagency Hotshot Crew
This crew is based on the White Mountain Apache Reservation in Whiteriver, Arizona, and was the first fully certified Native American IHC in 1982.
The Fort Apache Interagency Hotshot Crew (FAIHC) was established in 1985 and is one of the longest-standing and most respected wildland firefighting teams in the United States. Based on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in eastern Arizona, the crew is composed primarily of Native American firefighters, many from the White Mountain Apache Tribe. The crew’s formation was a direct response to the need for an elite firefighting team that could address the increasing number of wildfires across the western United States, especially in remote and difficult-to-reach areas.
As an Interagency Hotshot Crew, the Fort Apache Hotshots are part of a specialized force that includes teams from various federal and state agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service. The team is trained in all aspects of wildfire suppression, including fireline construction, direct attack, and safe firefighting techniques in rugged terrain. They are often called upon for high-intensity fires and have worked across the U.S., including in California, Colorado, and Idaho.
The Fort Apache Hotshots have earned a reputation for their professionalism, skill, and commitment to their mission. They are not only a critical resource in wildfire management but also a point of pride for the White Mountain Apache Tribe, symbolizing resilience and the community’s deep connection to the land.
Red Hats Crew
This crew was made up of 24 Mescalero Apaches and developed a reputation for their skill. They were praised by a district ranger for their discipline, fire camp manners, and general behavior.
The Red Hats firefighters, officially known as the Red Hat Crew, are an all-women wildland firefighting team based in the United States. Established in 1979 by the U.S. Forest Service, the crew was created in response to the need for a specialized, all-female crew to handle wildland fires, which were predominantly staffed by male firefighters at the time. The Red Hats were among the first all-women crews in the U.S. Forest Service, breaking gender barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field.
The crew’s name, “Red Hats,” comes from the distinctive red hard hats they wear, setting them apart visually from other firefighting crews. Over the years, the Red Hats have earned a reputation for their expertise, professionalism, and strong work ethic, despite facing the challenges of working in an industry where women were often underrepresented. They are known for their physical stamina and technical proficiency, often deployed to combat fires in challenging and dangerous conditions.
The Red Hats have played an important role in shaping the inclusion of women in wildland firefighting, proving that women can meet the demanding physical and mental challenges of the job. Today, the Red Hats serve as a trailblazer for women in wildland firefighting, continuing to inspire and empower future generations of female firefighters
Taos Pueblo Snowball crew
This crew rescued the real Smokey Bear, a five-pound American black bear cub, from a fire.
The Taos Pueblo Snowball Crew is a wildland firefighting team based in Taos, New Mexico, comprised primarily of members from the Taos Pueblo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America. The crew was established in 1984 to address the growing need for specialized firefighting teams in the southwestern United States, particularly to fight wildfires in the difficult, mountainous terrain of northern New Mexico. Named after Snowball Mountain, located near Taos Pueblo, the crew carries both cultural significance and a deep connection to the land they protect.
The Snowball Crew is one of the few Native American hotshot teams in the U.S., and it reflects the community’s commitment to preserving their ancestral lands and protecting surrounding forests. As an Interagency Hotshot Crew, the Snowball Crew is trained to tackle the most challenging fires, using advanced firefighting techniques such as direct fireline construction, backburning, and fuel reduction. They are often called to large fires across the western U.S., providing expertise in complex and hazardous conditions.
The Snowball Crew’s reputation for skill, resilience, and teamwork has made them highly respected in wildland firefighting circles. Their service highlights the importance of Native American contributions to fire management, while also honoring their long-standing connection to the land.
Sources:
https://www.bia.gov/service/wildfire-response/chief-mountain-ihc
https://www.bia.gov/service/wildfire-response/golden-eagles-ihc
https://www.bia.gov/service/wildfire-response/fort-apache-ihc
https://www.knau.org/earth-notes/2024-08-07/earth-notes-the-apache-red-hats
https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/idc015901.pdf
