UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — When wildfires burn in the western United States, fire crews from across the country are deployed to support local crews. A recent deployment of firefighters from Pennsylvania included a Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences student and other University alumni.
Camryn Hornbaker, a senior majoring in forest ecosystem management, was part of a wildland firefighting crew that spent two weeks supporting firefighting efforts in eastern Montana. In addition to Hornbaker, the crew included eight other Penn State alumni: Stephen Hoy, class of 2003; Ralph Campbell, class of 2005; McClure Flook, class of 2006; Matthew Bardzilouskas and Benjamin Sands, both class of 2008; Eric Monger, class of 2009; Dale Ronk, class of 2013; and Daniel Yoder, class of 2023.
“With wildfires increasing in size and severity, and the growing use of prescribed burning to safely manage fire-dependent ecosystems, it’s critical that students in fields such as forestry learn fire science and fire management techniques,” said Jesse Kreye, assistant research professor of fire and natural resources management in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.
Hornbaker described the trip as very rewarding.
“It showed me firsthand the importance of controlling wildfires and supporting affected communities,” she said. “I gained a lot of experience and was able to work with many people who’ve been doing this for more than a decade.”
At Penn State, Hornbaker credits Kreye and Brent Harding, the director of forestland and forestry instructor, with helping her navigate the preparation process.
“I strongly encourage students to seek internships or employment opportunities relevant to their field of study,” Harding said. “Ideally, the position helps focus their academic pursuits. Camryn took it one step further and found a pathway to enhance her internship with our office and leverage it to gain the life experience of wildland firefighting.”
Hornbaker completed several undergraduate courses focusing on fire ecology with Kreye to qualify for the assignment. The classes covered firefighting logistics, and students traveled to New Jersey to assist with prescribed fires. Hornbaker also completed training facilitated by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, attended a multiday Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry Fire Academy, and passed an arduous fitness test.
“I think the preparation for the trip was equally mental and physical,” Hornbaker said. “I tried to stay active and focused on hiking with a weighted pack to build endurance. I also had to keep the right headspace. Going somewhere new for two weeks with 19 people I had never met was scary. I knew it was going to be tiring work in potentially hazardous conditions. I had to remind myself that I was qualified and capable of doing the work.”
Hornbaker noted that Kreye’s classes were key to her preparation. “It gave me the knowledge to understand how the fires behave,” she said. For instance, she mentioned listening to the weather report to assess how the conditions might affect the fire.
“Dedicated students like Camryn who have gone through extensive firefighter training and go out West to fight fires not only get valuable experience and see fires on a grand scale, but they’re also doing an incredible service to protect life, property and our valued natural resources under the most arduous of conditions,” Kreye said.
During the assignment, the crew worked on two fires, Hornbaker explained.
“We did mop-up on the first fire, which means we made sure nothing could cause the fire to start back up,” she said. “We used water or dirt to prevent any combustion.”
At the second fire, the crew assisted in clearing a dozer line, which is an area where vegetation is removed. A bulldozer follows and scrapes the ground to mineral soil to help remove possible fuels and contain wildfires.
The crew also participated in holding and backfiring operations. Hornbaker described holding as watching the “green” or unburned areas to ensure embers did not blow in and ignite more fires. Backfiring is setting controlled fires to eliminate the fuel in a wildfire's path. It helps keep the area close to the control line from burning too intensely.
Hornbaker said the experience has given her the confidence to pursue joining a full-time fire crew after graduation.
“It was intimidating going into a crew where I was the youngest and only woman, but they were very supportive and encouraging,” she said.
Hornbaker encourages other students who are interested in firefighting to get involved.
“Go for it, but don’t skimp on physical fitness,” she said. “I worried I’d feel lost and not know what I was doing, but my training prepared me. Everyone I worked with was happy to share their knowledge. If you plan to do this full time, getting on an out-of-state crew is a great way to test the waters and gain some experience in the field.”