Federal Register #2026-16687

OPM Final Rule: 25% Hazard Pay Differential for Prescribed Wildland Fire Activities

This final rule from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) addresses pay for federal employees involved in prescribed wildland fire activities: - Government Buyer: - U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) - Scope and Impact: - Authorizes a 25% hazard pay differential for General Schedule (GS) and Federal Wage System (FWS) employees - Applies to employees participating as members of firefighting crews engaged in fireline activities directly involving the implementation and control of prescribed wildland fires - Covers employees in the 0456 Wildland Fire Management occupational series and those under the GW pay plan - Excludes pre-ignition preparation activities from coverage - Affects approximately 12,500 employees across the USDA Forest Service and Department of the Interior - Estimated annual cost is about $32.5 million - Notable Requirements: - The rule is a permanent policy change, not a procurement of goods or services - Aims to address pay disparities and improve recruitment and retention for federal wildland firefighters - No OEMs, vendors, or specific products are involved, as this is a personnel policy change

Description

The Office of Personnel Management issued a final rule to add prescribed (planned) wildland fire duties as covered activities triggering payment of Hazardous Duty Pay (HDP) for General Schedule (GS) employees and Environmental Differential Pay (EDP) for Federal Wage System (FWS) employees. The rule authorizes a 25 percent differential for GS and FWS employees who are members of firefighting crews engaged in fireline activities directly involving the implementation and control of prescribed wildland fires. The regulation is effective September 14, 2026, and aims to recognize the hazards associated with prescribed fire operations and improve recruitment and retention of these employees.

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