OPM expands 25% hazard pay to include prescribed wildland burns

The Office of Personnel Management has issued a final rule, published in the Federal Register, that extends the existing 25% hazard-pay differential to federal wildland firefighters engaged in prescribed-burn operations. Effective Sept. 13, the pay boost applies to crew members working directly on the fireline under the General Schedule or Federal Wage System, but it does not cover preparatory activities before a fire is lit.

The agency explained that the risks—exposure to flame, heat, smoke and unstable terrain—cannot be fully mitigated by training or equipment and are similar to those faced during emergency wildfire suppression. The regulation also maintains the limitation to fireline work, citing the need to target the most hazardous conditions. National Federation of Federal Employees President Randy Erwin welcomed the decision, calling it a major step toward fair compensation for firefighters. The rule follows a 2022 union recommendation and reflects years of advocacy, legal and legislative efforts by federal employee groups.