It is hard work most of the time, but the really dangerous work is done by the experienced crews that get paid better.
Most of it is not full time permanent works - so there's sort of the rub. Even the hot shot crews have had an off-season where at best they are furloughed. So in the winter some find other jobs like work as arborists.
During fire seasons fires on Fed land, usually Interior or Ag, draw on their own employees (agency) and then others of the US Government and co-operating state services. The $15 or whatever it is now, is the minimum. Otherwise base is based on your regular pay. Your paid from the time you lace up your boots until you take them off. All OT and hazzard duty rules apply so it generally works it pretty good. Its expensive as hell, especially late in the season when bringing in people from across the country who have relatively high pay grades to begin with.
They also bring in contract crews. This is good seasonal business in parts of the country. Again expensive but frees the govenement of benefits and all the stuff the accounting types love to unload.
It will get more dangerous for the regular hand and engine crews with the longer fire seasons, crazier weather, and the loss of experienced leadership.
Bobby Baldwin 
