FireUp Your Opinion
We want to hear from you!
We’re looking for Opinion pieces that reflect on the state of the fire and forestry industry’s workforce-related challenges and opportunities.
Here are some guidelines to get you started:
Accepted pieces must:
Be less than 750 words
Include a title (no longer than 6-8 words)
Include 3-5 key words
Be of general relevance to the fire and forestry workforce, employers, and organizations, reflecting on topics such as career pathways, mentoring, training and learning approaches, leadership, health, and well-being.
Here are some tips on writing a memorable piece:
Keep it brief: make sure your piece is focused on 1-2 arguments. Introduce your subject well in the first paragraph so that the reader is hooked and the rest of your piece can flow.
Be timely: relate your opinion piece to a current event or something in the news, so it resonates with an ongoing conversation that readers may be aware of and would like to read more about.
Follow the five “Ws”: address who, what, when, where, and why/or how in your piece. Your reader needs to know why your opinion is important and timely.
Support your argument: Why should your reader care and be motivated to action or reflection? All arguments must be well-referenced and supported so that readers can follow your claim. All references should be hyperlinked in line.
Wrap it up with a bow: your conclusion is often what will be the most lasting in your reader’s mind, so having a strong ending and solidifying your opinion at the end of the piece can make your writing memorable.
Keep it simple: use accessible and inclusive language that everyone can understand. Make sure you explain terms and jargon that are not common knowledge where applicable.
Proofread: before you submit, check your formatting, spelling, and grammar!
Selection process
FireUp’s editor will select the most interesting and relevant opinion piece to include in each monthly newsletter. FireUp is pleased to offer $250 if your opinion is selected!
If your opinion piece doesn’t get featured in our newsletter, we may feature it on our website blog as additional reading (not a paid opportunity).
We accept submissions on a rolling basis so there’s no deadline. Please submit when you think you are ready to share your opinion with the world!
As the new administration takes office in 2025, fire and forestry work faces both challenges and opportunities. In recent years, the twin crises of escalating wildfire impacts and workforce retention have exposed critical gaps in our nation’s wildfire mitigation and land management systems. To meet these challenges, a bold policy agenda must prioritize system-wide workforce expansion, cross-training, and modernization. The Trump-Vance administration must democratize access to whole-person development, lifelong learning, and career mobility with more opportunities for upskilling and pathways for non-degree credentials. This revitalization of the fire and forestry workforce system must be implemented through private and non-profit partnerships already leading the way in ensuring that fire and forestry careers are dignified, sustainable, and capable of securing a future for all American workers.