Choosing to be a wildland firefighter certainly isn't the easiest of career paths, but it's a meaningful one filled with incredibly unique and oftentimes, unbelievable experiences. One thing is undeniable; curiosity never fails to draw people to this career like a moth to a flame.

Many firefighters started out by working a seasonal fire job. Then, somehow, they find themselves 20 years later with a college degree that didn't get put to good use, but fire boots that did. Those who are in this profession understand that it isn't just a job, it's a way of life.

Hold and Improve is a tribute to the wildland firefighting community and the storytelling culture within it. This collection of true stories, artwork, and poetry was born from the hearts, minds, and experiences of wildland firefighters, and it's the first of its kind. For the unfamiliar, this book offers a rare peek inside of the "fire world," and for the fire family, it is camaraderie on paper.