Dustin Smith

Dustin began his Bureau of Land Management (BLM) journey in wildland firefighting while attending Idaho State University, working seasonally from 2001 to 2005 on the Twin Falls District as a wildland firefighter on an engine. During this period, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Zoology. After graduation, he transitioned to the Idaho Falls District BLM as a Fuels Technician, where his passion for fuels reduction and restoration flourished.
In 2008, Dustin returned to the Twin Falls District to join their Fuels Program as a Fuels Module Lead, eventually advancing to Fire Management Specialist. By 2010, he had taken on the role of Fire Ecologist in the Burley Field Office, where he contributed to record-setting fuels accomplishment acres. Dustin’s ability to forge partnerships and agreements significantly enhanced funding and expanded the scope of treatments with a landscape-level approach.
Additionally, Dustin served as the Field Office Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ESR) Lead, coordinating ESR efforts across various levels of the organization, from the Field Office to the National Office. His expertise in fuels management was further defined in 2021 when he detailed as the Idaho State Fuels Program Manager.
Currently, Dustin works as a Fuels Management Specialist in the Fire Planning and Fuels Management Directorate for the BLM at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). He assumed the Program Official role for SageSTEP in summer of 2023.
Dustin is married and the proud father of three children.