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Feature Article: Saving Lives (and Breath) on the Wildland Fire Line

Record-high temperatures this summer mean that the 2021 fire season, which is well underway in several states, is likely to be devastating. As of July 22, 79 large fires and complexes have burned 1,448,053 acres, and more than 21,700 wildland firefighters and support personnel are assigned to wildfires across the United States. Families, businesses and homes are at risk and it's also taking a huge physical and mental toll on the firefighters battling the blazes. Did you know that the federal government employs nearly 10,000 wildland firefighters, and that 70% of all the acres burned in wildfires are located on federal lands? All of our nation's wildland firefighters are tasked with preserving and protecting not only the vast and precious natural resources of our parks and federal lands, which belong to all of us, but the homes and property of the people who live in close proximity to those lands, as well. They also protect critical infrastructure, like power lines and pipelines, that traverse wilderness areas. When this infrastructure is damaged by fire it can and does create massive and costly interruptions to the lives and business of people, many of whom may not live or work anywhere near the wilderness. The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is dedicated to protecting these selfless men and women as they work to protect our communities. One of S&T's main mission focus areas is supporting the development of technologies that our vital first responders need to stay safe—that's why S&T, along with CAL FIRE, the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. Forest Service, the International Association of Firefighters, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and local Colorado fire departments, contributed to the design and testing of a new Wildland Firefighter Respirator, which is currently being developed by TDA Research, Inc. This has the potential to be a big leap forward in the fight against wildfires. READ THE FULL STORY →

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