Vehicles of the U.S. Forest Service

Part 3 Colors and markings used on Forest Service vehicles 1965-2009

 By Aaron Woods

 

In the mid 1960s there was another change in markings. The red, white & blue shield was replaced with a small (6”) brown & white USFS shield. A solid brown box with white trim replaced the earlier white outline. The use of radio ID numbers started to appear on fire vehicles in the early 1970s.

 

 (International Loadstar, Model 51, Sierra National Forest)

 

In the mid 1970s there was a minor change when the grey top was eliminated resulting in an overall light green vehicle. The first marked law enforcement vehicles also appeared aroundthis time.

 

 In the early 1980s the markings were changed again when the shield moved from the top of the door to the center. The box surrounding the lettering was dropped and the lettering placed above and below the shield. There are some minor variations in the shield during this time, but the most common was a small brown shield with white border.

 

 

(1987 International S1600, Model 42, Sierra National Forest)

 

In the 1990s the USFS in Region 5 (California) started to add reflective lettering and later reflective striping to fire vehicles. Over the next decade other regions began to adopt these markings, but in 2009 it is still not a nationwide practice.

 

 

(1996 Ford F-800, Model 62A, Los Padres National Forest)

 

In 2000 there was a change in both paint and markings. To save the expense of painting vehicles green it was decided to buy white vehicles. To increase recognition a larger (12”) shield was adopted. The colors of the shield were also reversed making it more noticeable on the white vehicle; it was now white with a brown border and brown lettering. Fire and law enforcement vehicles used dark green reflective striping to provide additional identification.

 

 

(2005 Jeep Liberty, San Bernardino National Forest)

 

This decision was not a popular one, particularly among firefighters as the green vehicles were seen by many as a part of the agencies identity. Since the cost was not as much of a factor on large vehicles, in 2001 the green scheme was allowed to continue, but only on medium and heavy duty trucks.  

In 2002 an exception was made for emergency vehicles allowing each region the option of green or white regardless of the size of the vehicle. The markings for both colors are the same with the exception of reflective striping which is green on white vehicles and white on green vehicles. Law Enforcement decided to continue the use of the white scheme nationwide.

 

(2001 International 4900, Model 62C, Sierra National Forest)

 

(2006 International 7400, Model 75, Fremont National Forest)