Q&A with Helitack Firefighter Kelly Schwenger
Forest and Fire Sciences, ’24
A daughter of a retired fire captain, Schwenger is no stranger to fire. Yet, when she first joined the volunteer fire department during the COVID-19 pandemic in her hometown of Esparto, California, she did it to get the medical experience to become a doctor. Then the LNU Lightning Complex Fires of 2020 happened, burning more than 360,000 acres across five counties, and she knew her path was set. Today, she is a member of an elite, specialized crew of CAL FIRE helitack firefighters at Boggs Mountain Helitack in Cobb, California, who respond to wildfires by helicopter.
What does a helitack firefighter do? Why did you choose that job?
Helitack firefighters provide an aggressive initial attack on fires in wilderness areas. They also do air rescue by deploying by a cable from the helicopter down to patients to retrieve them, passenger transport and assist in moving both cargo and crews to and around the fire. I chose this job because I love wildland firefighting and the aviation program. Helitack brings both sides together, as well as the air rescue component.
What thoughts are going through your mind as you are preparing to arrive at a fire?
When we get dispatched to a fire I always listen for the location because it will be a big indicator of the fuel model and, based on the weather, the fire severity. While en route I’m actively looking for the smoke column while we fly to prepare myself for a sprint or a marathon depending on the size of the fire.
Are you ever afraid?
No, we have very good pilots and our supervisors are highly trained and keep us informed.
Tell me a little about some of the experiences you have had so far? How many fires have you been deployed to?
Last year was a busy year and I got to go on numerous fires. During the peak of the summer, we could potentially go to more than two fires a day. This job is so rewarding and having the ability to respond to calls via helicopter is an incredible experience and allows you to see a different perspective of being a first responder.
California is facing a growing wildfire threat due to climate change, drought and increased fuel loads. So far this year, 58,108 acres have burned in California, with more than 578 wildfires. What is your hope for the future of California and what role do you play in that?
My hope for the future of California is to prioritize fuel reduction through prescribed fire and thinning of overgrown timber fuel models. The forestry industry has a heavy focus on cutting and replanting to bring California forests back to their natural state before extreme fire suppression and devastating fires. Down the road, I hope to end up as a forester and continue to help promote healthy forests.
How did your time and experiences at Cal Poly help prepare you for the job?
My experiences at Cal Poly prepared me for the field I work in today. Knowing about fuel modeling and fire behavior is one of the many takeaways from Cal Poly that I apply to my job on a daily basis.
While a part of the Cal Poly Loggers team, how many times were you named the Belle of the Woods (top female com petitor)? Did it give you skills that are helping you in the field today?
I was the Belle of the Woods three times — twice at the Annual Western Forestry Conference and once at Cal Conclave. The logging team opened many doors for me from networking to exploring multiple career avenues. I gained many skills on the logging team that I use today, from public speaking to running chainsaws.
What advice would you give to students who want to follow a similar path?
I would recommend attending every forestry conference and joining the logging team, as well as the Society of American Foresters and Society of Fire Ecology — all of which educated me on the forestry and fire sector, exposing me to endless career opportunities and reassuring me of the career path I wanted to pursue.
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