Wildland Firefighter Retreats

Check back for announcements about upcoming 2025-2026 retreats!

Wildland Firefighter Retreats

FUSEE assisted with organizing and sponsoring a wildland firefighter mindfulness retreat in January 2025, in collaboration with facilitators that have been organizing similar retreats at Tassajara Zen Center since 2020.

We hosted 24 wildland firefighters at Great Vow Zen Monastery in Clatskanie, OR for 6 days. We intend to make this an annual event to assist more firefighters with community connection, positive coping skills, and healing from trauma and grief from the nature of their work.

Read blog posts from attendees, FUSEE’s board president, Mike, and FUSEE’s Administrative Manager, Emily. Watch Helena’s presentation about the retreat at Hotshot Wellness’ 2025 Wildland Fire Virtual Wellness Summit (starts at 1:04:30).

Flyer for Wildland Firefighter Mindfulness Retreat by Zen Community of Oregon, scheduled for January 14-19, 2025, at Great Vow Zen Monastery in Clatskanie, Oregon. It includes retreat details, costs, and facilitator information: Laura Martin, Lee Klinger Lesser, and Vanessa Meade.
Infographic on firefighter wellness retreat impact with statistics on trauma, stress reduction, mood improvement, and mindfulness.
Group of people posing in front of a rustic wooden structure surrounded by trees, wearing winter clothing.

Photo credit: Michael Sherman

Appreciations to our sponsors and in-kind donors: Zen Community of Oregon, The Bess Foundation, FireUp, Pema Chödrön Foundation, and Rite in the Rain.

Firefighter participants prepare to work on the grounds
Firefighters participate in grounds maintenance
Gathering for a group activity
A bonfire celebration
Sunset view from the monastery
Firefighters participate in grounds maintenance
A mindfulness practice prior to working on the grounds
A collective flag that hangs in the garden
Participants socializing
Retreat facilitators

Retreat Testimonials

As a career wildland firefighter with over 20 years of experience this retreat was extremely valuable and I only wish something like this was available for me earlier in my career. I'm excited to know that this group of practitioners and facilitators will be part of the future wildland fire community and is committed to helping our workforce heal and grow.

This is the experience so many of us have needed for so long, whether we knew it or not.

It is the most meaningful thing that fire has led me to. It has helped me recover from the toll that life experiences and working fire has had on me. This experience has helped me to feel balanced and whole. I would highly recommend this retreat.”

This retreat is incredibly important and unlike any experience I have ever had. Learning to take care of ourselves and others in fire in this way is the change that is desperately needed."

Thanks for providing a space to connect with people in fire that was not a fire.”

I'm fairly certain this experience not only changed my life, but saved it too. Eternally grateful.

Would you like to help fund this work? We are seeking supporters passionate about climate, mental health, mindfulness, and fire.

Email helena@fusee.org or donate below: