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Wildland Firefighter Foundation

@wffoundation

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Provides support to injured and fallen wildland firefighters and their families.

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For more than 30 years, the Wildland Firefighter Foundation has stood beside the men and women of the wildland fire community and the families who support them. From line-of-duty deaths and burn injuries to mental health support and emergency assistance, the Foundation is there when help is needed most.

Every donation, every fundraiser, and every shared story helps us continue supporting the people behind the fireline.

#Wffoundation #Nonprofit #WildlandFirefighter by @wffoundation

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3 days ago

This week in history - October 12 to October 18

10/12 - On this day in 1918, dozens of logging slash fires that were smoldering near Duluth, Minnesota combined into one conflagration known as the Cloquet Fire. The fire was pushed by strong frontal winds and raced through several counties, burning 250,000 acres, destroying several communities, and killing over 450 civilians.

10/17 - On this day in 1947, the Bar Harbor Fire started near Acadia National Park...three days later it erupted and nearly destroyed the entire town. This fire was part of a major wildfire outbreak in Maine that October which consumed over 200,000 acres, destroyed over 1200 buildings, and caused numerous civilian casualties.

For additional information visit the links in our Bio. by @wffoundation

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4 days ago

This week in history - October 5 to October 11

10/7 - On this day in 1825, the Miramichi Fire blew up, eventually burning over 3,000,000 acres across Maine and Nova Scotia while killing at least 160 settlers. This is one of the earliest documented mega-fires in North America.

10/7 - On this day in 1910, the Baudette Fire erupted and burned 300,000 acres of dense timber and slash in northern Minnesota; it destroyed several communities and took the lives of 42 civilians. This event is largely forgotten as it was overshadowed by the notorious Big Burn which occurred in the Northern Rockies earlier that year.

10/7 - On this day in 1971, three U.S. Forest Service firefighters and a contract dozer operator perished and two others were injured when they were trapped by a Sundowner wind shift during the Romero Fire on the Los Padres National Forest in California. This event prompted the US Forest Service in Region 5 to implement a Safety FIRST program. In 1972, feedback was collected from employees across the region and a number of subsequent changes were made to professionalize the fire organization.

10/8 - On this day in 1871, both the Peshtigo Fire and the Great Michigan Fire grew into huge conflagrations under the influence of a surfacing low level jet stream with winds reaching 100 mph. The Peshtigo Fire burned more than 1,200,000 acres around Green Bay, Wisconsin; as many as 2400 civilians may have perished. The Great Michigan Fire ran across the lower peninsula of the state, scorching more than 2,000,000 acres and taking the lives of at least 250 civilians. These fires, combined with the Great Chicago Fire which happened on the same day, are sometimes referred to together as the Great Midwest Fires of 1871.

For additional information visit the links in our Bio. by @wffoundation

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11 days ago

@coorsbanquet brought the community together at TJ’s Corral at @carsonvalleyinn earlier this month for the fifth annual Protect Our Protectors Benefit Concert, featuring a performance by @thecastellows.

Through ticket sales, donations, merchandise, the silent auction, and beer and bar proceeds, the event raised nearly $50,000 in support of our mission and the wildland firefighters and families we serve.

Coors Banquet has continued to stand behind the wildland fire community year after year, and we’re grateful for the commitment they’ve shown us through this event and beyond.

This year’s concert was also made possible with support from @newwestdist, including an additional $5,000 donation, and @eastforkfirelocal3726, who contributed another $500.

We also appreciate Carson Valley Inn and TJ’s Corral for continuing to host this event and creating a great setting for the Carson Valley community to come together around this cause.

To The Castellows, everyone who attended, donated, bid in the silent auction, purchased merchandise, supported the bar, or helped make the evening happen behind the scenes, we appreciate you being part of it.

Nearly $50,000 raised in one evening is a significant impact, and we’re grateful to everyone who helped make it possible.

#WildlandFirefighterFoundation #CoorsBanquet #ProtectOurProtectors #WildlandFirefighters #CarsonValley #TheCastellows by @wffoundation

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15 days ago

This week in history - September 28 to October 4

9/28 - On this day in 1926, five firefighters died when an abrupt wind reversal pushed flames over their position on the Kings Canyon Fire, west of Carson City, Nevada. The deceased firefighters included two inmates, a prison guard, a railroad employee, and a U.S. Forest Service patrolman.

10/2 - On this day in 1943, nine U.S. Marines died when they were overrun by flames while fighting the Hauser Creek Fire in east San Diego County, California. More than 70 other Marines fighting the fire suffered burn injuries during the entrapment. The next day, one U.S. Army Buffalo Soldier also died in the flames on this fire.

10/3 - On this day in 1933, at least 29 federal relief program day-laborers, who were working for Los Angeles County, died while fighting a small fire in Griffith Park. Some estimates of fatalities are higher. More than 150 other firefighters suffered burn injuries.

For additional information visit the links in our Bio. by @wffoundation

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18 days ago

🔥Wildland firefighters show up when communities need them most. The Wildland Firefighter Foundation is here to make sure they and their families are not left to face the hardest moments alone.

From injury and loss to recovery and remembrance, we provide direct support to wildland firefighters and their families when it matters most. We also work to honor the people behind the boots, the engines, the crews, and the long days on the fireline.🎗

Every donation, fundraiser, purchase, share, and conversation helps strengthen that support.

If wildland firefighters protect our communities, we believe their community should stand behind them too.

Learn more, get involved, or support the mission at wffoundation.org.

#WildlandFirefighterFoundation #WildlandFire #Firefighters #ShowYourSupport by @wffoundation

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22 days ago

It was an amazing opportunity for our Executive Director Burk Minor to represent the WFF, as well as the boots on the ground and the rest of the wildland community in Washington DC last week during Wildfire Week 2026.

Burk was invited to speak at the Western Caucus Foundation's Wildfire Week Reception as part of a week of events bringing together members of Congress, congressional staff, and wildfire leaders to discuss the issues facing wildland fire and the people behind it.

For the WFF, opportunities like this are important. They give us another chance to make sure the experiences of wildland firefighters and their families are part of the conversation, and to share what we see every day while supporting the community following an injury or fatality.

Thank you to the @westerncaucusfound for inviting Burk, and giving the WFF a seat at the table. We appreciate everyone who took the time to listen, connect, and continue the conversation about supporting the men and women of wildland fire.

#WildlandFirefighterFoundation #WildlandFirefighters #WildfireWeek #WilandFire #WFF by @wffoundation

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24 days ago

This week in history - September 21 to September 27

9/24 - On this day in 1954, three Folsom Prison inmate firefighters were entrapped and died during the Tunnel #6 Fire on the Tahoe National Forest in California. The “Watch Out Situation” about taking a nap on the fireline has been attributed to this fire.

9/24 - On this day in 1889, an escaped sheepherder campfire sparked the Santiago Canyon Fire that burned up to 300,000 acres in what is now Orange County, California.

9/25 - On this day in 1970, the Wright Fire started, burning 28,000 acres in Malibu, California. Ten civilians perished in the fire. The fire later merged with the 107,000 acre Clampitt Fire. These events were part of a fire siege that developed all across Southern California.

9/26 - On this day in 1970, the Laguna Fire started, burning 175,000 acres in San Diego County, California. As many as 16 civilians may have perished in the fire. Numerous other large fires raged at the same time in Southern California; this fire siege proved to be the springboard for the development of FIRESCOPE and the Incident Command System.

9/26 - On this day in 1936, the town of Bandon, Oregon was completely destroyed and 10 civilians died when a large wildfire fueled by flammable exotic vegetation raced through the town.

For additional information visit the links in our Bio. by @wffoundation

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25 days ago

The Hidden Valley Hammer is back for 2026🔥

Each year, members of the wildland fire community come together in Reno for this challenging trail race benefiting the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. 100% of the proceeds from the event go directly to WFF, helping to continue supporting wildland firefighters and their families.

Choose your challenge:
5K: A less technical loop with great views and plenty of trail
10K: A steep, technical course climbing roughly 1,700 feet in the first 4.5 miles

Saturday, November 7 @ 11:00 AM
Hidden Valley Regional Park, Reno, Nevada🌲

Stick around afterward for the after-party with food, drinks, and live music at The 395 Craft Beer and Spirits.🍺

We’re grateful to the wildland firefighters and everyone else who continue putting this event on year after year in support of our mission. Whether you’re ready to take on the Hammer or just want to support the cause, we’d love to see you there.

Registration is open now:
https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=143407

@hiddenvalleyhammer_trailruns_
#HiddenValleyHammer #WildlandFirefighterFoundation #WildlandFirefighters #TrailRunning #RenoNevada #SupportWildlandFirefighters by @wffoundation

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a month ago

This week in history - September 15 to September 21

The Great Fire of 1845 started in western Oregon during the early fall season. According to Indian oral history interviews, early settler accounts, and dated burnt snag patterns it is estimated that this fire covered more than 500,000 acres; running from the Willamette Valley over the Coast Range to the Pacific Ocean. Western Oregon experienced a series of similar large conflagrations during the years of 1849, 1853, 1865, and 1868.

For additional information visit the links in our Bio. by @wffoundation

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