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Forest Fire Warden

Annual Spring Forest Fire Warden Training 

The annual Forest Fire Warden meetings will be held in 12 counties in late February and early March 2024. 

2023 Fire Summary:

Below is the link to the warden meeting training from 2024

Vermont Forest Fire Wardens YouTube Channel


Vermont Town Forest Fire Warden Directory - Find Your warden

Resources for Vermont Town Forest Fire Wardens:

 


The Town Fire Warden System was established in 1904 to give the responsibility of forest fire prevention and suppression to each individual town under the authority of a town Fire Warden. Fire Wardens are appointed by the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation, with the approval of the town Selectboard, and serve a 5-year term or the balance of any former Warden’s term, with an unlimited number of reappointments possible (subject to approval by the Commissioner or designee, see Title 10 VSA Chapter 83 §2641). 

Numerous Wardens are directly in charge of fire suppression in their town. However, it is an accepted practice that most towns designate their town fire department to engage in fire suppression. When a fire department receives a wildland fire call, regardless of the caller, the fire department is considered officially summoned by the town Fire Warden. It is also recognized that town Fire Wardens often delegate some of their authority to fire department chiefs so that fire suppression efforts are more responsive. Ultimately, town Fire Wardens have complete authority and jurisdiction over wildland fire suppression activities in their towns.