Bonnie, R., Rey, M., “We worked for Bush & Obama: Here’s a bipartisan solution to America’s wildfire problem,” August 11, 2017, www.certusnews.com/life/We-worked-for-Bush-%26-Obama—Here’s-a-bipartisan-solution-to-America’s-wildfire-problem.ry7dO37ovW.html.Several structures destroyed Wildland Firefighter FRUITLAND, Utah — FOX 13 ...
His crew affectionately called him Supe.“This guy was not only in great shape at 43 years old, but could run anybody into the ground with his strength,” says Academy Award nominee Josh Brolin, whose preparation for the role involved losing 40 pounds.
On June 30, it overran and killed 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. During the fire season, they sacrifice their comfort and safety to help protect endangered communities. (4) Additionally, the fire season has increased from five months to seven-plus months since 1989 (4). He had joined the hotshots after experiencing personal troubles and was intent on turning his life around.“Brendan is at rock bottom. The Yarnell Hill Fire was a wildfire near Yarnell, Arizona, ignited by lightning on June 28, 2013. The elite hotshot crews are typically requested for large, high-priority fires and are assigned to remote areas with little logistical support.Before being considered for a hotshot crew, candidates must meet high physical fitness standards and have previous wildland firefighting experience. Though career wildland firefighters comprise less than 10 percent of the nation’s firefighters, their demands during the wildfire season far exceed the call volume of most urban firefighters.The 2017 wildfire season was atypically demanding on crews. Despite technological advances, these hand crews remain the backbone of wildland fire suppression.The dangers they face were tragically demonstrated on June 30, 2013, when 19 of the 20 Granite Mountain Hotshots were killed at the Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona. On the fireground, I’m reassured that I can only work as long as my self-contained breathing apparatus will allow, and there’s a rapid-intervention team (RIT) ready to rescue me if needed.Not all firefighters enjoy these luxuries. The goal is for the USFS to select a better fire shelter in 2018.Improved shelter technology is an obvious direction for preventing future loss of life of wildland firefighters. Between 2002 and 2012, an average of four wildland firefighters died each year in wildland fires in the United States.2 Additionally, the National Interagency Fire Center reported an average of 19 wildland firefighter deaths annually, across all activities including training.Drought, climate change, and a growing wildland-urban interface (WUI) have created perfect conditions for wildfire growth and the need for experienced hotshot crews who are typically placed in more difficult, dangerous, and stressful assignments.