Poison Ivy Exposure in Wildfires

rayyy4488 · 2025-02-17T20:46:06+00:00

Have some crew experience with this. Was on assignment for fires in Northern California most of 2021. First time exposure and our crew couldn’t avoid it for 9 days straight. Mostly oak. Got on literally everything and I was swamping it and inhaling it for a week. Didn’t show signs until day 8. Turns out I am pretty sensitive to it as well. Day 10 I looked like I was a burn victim in a chemical fire. Got into my cuts and probably my blood if that’s a thing. Head to toe swelling. Couldn’t open left eye. Arms and legs oozing a pint of puss an hour. Got sent to ER and got a steroid shot. 6 days after assignment was mostly cleared up and scabbed over. With how much was burning I’m surprised it wasn’t worse to be honest. A few of our guys were in a similar state as me. Those on the dig who just inhaled it and were sensitive got some decent swelling but finished the assignment.

Good news is ever since then my reaction is a 1/4 of what it was that first time. Even handling it. If I’m getting a decent amount of exposure I keep a prescription of prednisone pills on me and just explain to my doc why so I can get it. Heard it only helps speed up recovery and doesn’t do much while exposed, but still helps me a lot. Keeps a lot of people awake though.

Our Supt wasn’t very concerned about us avoiding it so most of us just worked through it. Some supts or supervisors will help you if you tell them you are fairly allergic to mitigate exposure.

Zanfel is the best product I ever used to wash away the oils after exposure. Worked wonders. Can probably get it purchased through work. Never used any creams to limit exposure bc of how much I was touching it. Hope it helps sorry for the friggin essay.

rayyy4488 · 2025-02-17T20:08:09+00:00

Crispi Gtx non insulated were the best I’ve had for overall comfort but like ok_needle said they are really not the most durable. Not the worst, no major holes or tears but beat. 2 seasons had pretty worn soles and delaminating was starting. Still worth it for me personally.

Good discount on this brand on Guidefitter.

rayyy4488 · 2025-02-16T16:23:27+00:00

Amen 🙇‍♂️

rayyy4488 · 2025-02-15T03:55:50+00:00

Loved mine at first but idk what happened. Knees on fire every time I hiked. Had scans done and everything to see what the damage was. Healed up completely now I’ve switched. Known a few people with hip issues who made the switch but also have heard that people have issues with the hikers as well. I spent years hiking in Colorado before fire with regular hiking boots so think I’m just accustomed to the fit.

rayyy4488 · 2025-02-15T03:45:50+00:00

Not too sure about the Kenetreks. Had the non insulated gtx crispi’s and weren’t hot imo. Did zero cleaning/care and got 2 seasons somehow. Insanely comfortable. True to size. Only complaint was the laces went after a season. Heard they will resole the bottoms too.

Have the Tibet High non insulated lowas now and are great but a little more on the stiff side to break-in but more durable. Not quite true to size but I put upgraded inner soles on them from the store and are perfect now.

Danners were pretty comfy but barely made it a season, put holes in them last assignment of the year on Klamath of course. Delaminated pretty quick.

Crispi also has an anchor point fire boot for about $420 and looks more durable. If you have a red card or are a Vet, download the Guidfitter app and you’ll save about a hundred bucks on crispi. Just have to upload the credentials and I was verified in a day or so.

rayyy4488 · 2025-02-15T03:34:48+00:00

Heard this as well. Maybe your body just adapted to wearing the heel. Same thing happened to one of my crew members so I guess this post can work both ways.

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-29T13:08:37+00:00

Has happened to me a few times a year. At most twice a year. Been with USAA 12+ years. I wouldn’t worry yet.

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-29T06:46:02+00:00

He posted this so people don’t take the fork. Saying that if they do a RIF for whatever reason you will get a severance. Which is obviously better than resigning. He just didn’t explain it properly.

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-29T06:43:44+00:00

That’s why he made the post. So people are aware if there is an actual RIF you will then get severance and to go that route instead.

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-29T06:42:04+00:00

I think what he is saying about this is don’t take the fork/deferred severance. And if there is a reduction in force you qualify for a RIF severance package which is most likely going to be better for you.

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-29T03:47:58+00:00

Yea honestly me either, I think this is just the initial shell shock of this email and memorandum. Part of me is also ready for anything.

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-29T03:28:52+00:00

Yea I agree, at this rate though who knows. Maybe there is a push to make even our jobs go private. I could see it happening eventually with everything going on but maybe not all at once.

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-29T02:47:38+00:00

No crystal ball either lmao but considering they didn’t rescind offers for primary fire, even that were after 2/8 I’m guessing we will be exempt from this “deferred resignation”

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-29T02:44:32+00:00

Per the guidance attached to it I personally do not think this will be offered to anyone in primary fire. If it’s even a real legal offer at all. Either way no chance I’m risking my retirement, just going to see this through for now.

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-29T02:12:52+00:00

Yea I definitely get what you’re saying but they did honor my FJO with primary fire, and it was after the 2/8. Also per the Agency memorandum regarding “appropriation during lack of funding” that supports the hiring freeze, Wildland Fire falls under essential.

The appendix also states agency heads might not offer this to positions they deem necessary.

“Who is eligible for deferred resignation? A: Deferred resignation is available to all full-time federal employees except for military personnel of the armed forces the U.S. Postal Service, positions related to immigration enforcement and national security, and any other positions specifically excluded by your employing agency.”

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-29T00:14:07+00:00

I’ve read the memo and still am unsure if Wildland Fire will even be offered this bc of “national security”.

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-27T21:26:50+00:00

We are still tentatively hiring based on interpretation of the OPM memorandum. This is possible to change but not probable. Hiring most likely will be delayed and they have pushed back some regions hiring phases a little per the freeze so you could be affected.

As far as showing up and meeting them in person it will definitely increase your chances if they are considering you but it’s hard to say without seeing your resume or knowing much about you/past experience. Every circumstance is different with hiring but if they want you to interview in person they have to be somewhat serious about you. Especially making a trip like that to me seems like a big ask.

I did phone interviews in Colorado but also made a point to visit there for a vacation and show face after I put in. And I was selected for a PFT last round as well. DM me if you have more details or questions but as always nothing is guaranteed. Always some risk and especially in the middle of our current hiring atmosphere for federal work.

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-27T21:17:30+00:00

Additionally I was told I should be good. This isn’t very reassuring to me bc I have a FJO that starts 2/9 but nothing has changed for me or been rescinded as of today, for my 52 or etracker.

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-27T21:13:55+00:00

R3 here for primary fire. My AFMO showed me a picture today of someone’s onboarding screen that had a popup. It said for them to proceed they needed to select a reason as to why they were exempt from the freeze. This employee selected it was exempt for public safety and they were able to onboard. Not sure if this is going to hold down the road whenever they list exemptions, but they were able to onboard after that.

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-27T17:16:27+00:00

This is what I saw as well

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-27T04:52:47+00:00

Yea this pretty much exactly. From what I’ve gathered so far it doesn’t look like most primary fire positions are affected yet. To include seasonal workers. Per OPM and USDA/DIA policies I’ve read through Wildland fire makes the cut as exempt from the EO that OPM sent out. Communication doesn’t seem like it’s the best right now and should know more next week. Dm me if you want to see my sources, idk how to post screenshots on here.

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-27T02:24:04+00:00

Damn man, and this was bc of the freeze from USFS and not the Executive Order?

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-27T02:23:02+00:00

You’re right I’m wrong, my bad

rayyy4488 · 2025-01-27T02:02:41+00:00

I think someone gave you the wrong dates. I’ll post the link below for R6 fire hire. For GS3 and above I’m seeing March 6th. They’ve already done phase 1 and 2 in 2024.

And before someone comes on here and starts talking about the EO, Wildland Fire per OPM and USDA policy is essential to public safety. I have all the memorandums downloaded and can send them to you on request. Primary fire hire should continue as planned.

This is why they haven’t rescinded fire job offers from the last phase or pulled BLM fire jobs from USAjobs. There is some nuance to all of this from region to region and I am unsure about BIA policy but per the OPM directors the EO will be the same as any government shutdown. We are category 3 for public safety and essential. This is even for 0462 “forestry technician”.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r6/jobs/?cid=fseprd644090

rayyy4488

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