Through Fire Nature Is Reborn, youth crew blog entry

Written by Jose Ramirez 

Jose’s Forest Stewards Youth Corps Crew in 2021.

Through hardships to the stars, nothing comes easy in life. Through hard work you can accomplish anything, this is my story. During 2021 I reached a low point in my life after I graduated high school, I did not know what career path to follow. One of my mentors from Communities in Schools presented me with an opportunity, an internship. Adrian Sotelo (CIS), my former mentor, presented me with Future Focused Education and River Source. At my internship with River Source I gained knowledge of how to alter the characteristics of stream flow and build dams with natural resources. I also learned a new love for nature. A conversation came up with Rich Schrader (River Source Director) about wildland firefighting, and he introduced me to The Forest Stewards Guild.

Jose’s 2023 Youth Corps Fall Fire & Fuels Crew

Fall of 2021 I started my journey as a wildland firefighter. I learned a lot in the Forest Stewards Youth Corps Fire and Fuels program, learning new things was a goal I set myself for the 2021 season. I learned how to use a chainsaw, read a map, identify north, east, south and west. I also learned about prescribed burns and how humans have an impact on the environment. One of the most important things I learned wasn’t about fire or chainsaws. It was about me, I learned that giving up wasn’t an option. I really struggled on the pack test, and it took me 3 tries, getting closer each time, till I got it done.  I also struggled with chainsaw maintenance and felling a tree, but like any other challenge in life I conquered it and adapted, I worked hard and trained a lot.

Cottonwood Gulch prescribed fire crews at work in 2023

After the 2021 season ended, I took a break from fire, but I remembered that my old crew lead was a volunteer firefighter. It piqued my interest, so I decided to go to the nearest fire station near me and pursued volunteering as a firefighter. I was working as a care provider and a volunteer firefighter for the first 6 months of 2023. I received an email from the Guild about hiring for the Forest Stewards Youth Corps and I applied. At first, I applied as a crewmember, but Sam Berry (Forest Stewards Guild Southwest Associate Director) encouraged me to apply as crew leader for the fall 2023 FSYC Season. I thought about it for a while, I was anxious. I took the leap of faith and went for it. With the chance I got from the Guild, I learned the biggest part of being a good leader was being humble, being open minded, and listening to my crew members. I had a quote to keep my crew motivated during stressful times. (Insert 2023 Crew here) “One heart one unit” was the quote, at first, I said it as a joke, but it developed a motto for keeping everyone positive. I noticed that my crew worked well together because we all learned together. I taught them about the paperwork I was doing, and they taught me that one person cannot change the world alone, you need a crew. Then the end of the great FSYC 2023 season came. That wasn’t my end with the Guild, I applied to their winter prescribed fire squad and got the opportunity.

Jose with others in All Hands All Lands winter 2023

With the winter prescribed fire crew, I understood that burning piles is much harder than anticipated. Hiking through four feet of snow and sometimes even swimming through the snow to get to a pile, builds a lot of character. Jokes aside, it was a learning experience, that’s why I joined the winter prescribed fire crew. I joined because of the drive to learn and expand my knowledge about fire, it has helped at the fire station as well. In my honest opinion during the winter prescribed fire crew, I gained a lot of personal development and learned a lot. I gained knowledge about radios, more chainsaw tricks and firing operations. We also got to teach an intern about chainsaws and a project we are working on making piles. She learned about felling and bucking trees. She also learned about O.H.L.E.C Objectives, Hazards, Leans, Escape Routes and Cut Plans. I gained a lot of knowledge and wisdom during this pile burn squad, a lot of personal growth and it helped me achieve the personal goals I set at the beginning of the season, passing the pack test of course and expanding my knowledge of fire and radios. I appreciate the Guild staff and what they have helped me achieve, my plans haven’t changed, I want to change the world and do great things and hopefully inspire others to do the same.