Firefighters describe being pushed to limit by a brutal wildfire season, with key leadership roles going unfilledThe US has faced a critical shortage of firefighters at the US Forest Service (USFS) this summer as thousands of fires erupted across the country.Despite officials’ claims that the firefighting workforce was stronger than ever, the agency has failed to keep pace with escalating conditions and the catastrophic fires fueled by them, according to nine firefighters who spoke to the Guardi
Firefighters describe being pushed to limit by a brutal wildfire season, with key leadership roles going unfilled
The US has faced a critical shortage of firefighters at the US Forest Service (USFS) this summer as thousands of fires erupted across the country.
Despite officials’ claims that the firefighting workforce was stronger than ever, the agency has failed to keep pace with escalating conditions and the catastrophic fires fueled by them, according to nine firefighters who spoke to the Guardian anonymously, because they are barred from disclosing the information to the public.
Hi-tech cameras orbiting Earth and on the ground, along with AI, help firefighters extinguish blazes before they spreadThe fires in Spokane, Washington, this summer are the latest reminder that when a wildfire is detected can be just as important as where it starts. A blaze found within minutes can often be contained before it spreads. Wait too long, and a small spark can become a major disaster.A new effort to shorten that timeline began in July when a SpaceX rocket carried the first three Fire
Hi-tech cameras orbiting Earth and on the ground, along with AI, help firefighters extinguish blazes before they spread
The fires in Spokane, Washington, this summer are the latest reminder that when a wildfire is detected can be just as important as where it starts. A blaze found within minutes can often be contained before it spreads. Wait too long, and a small spark can become a major disaster.
A new effort to shorten that timeline began in July when a SpaceX rocket carried the first three FireSat satellites into orbit. The trio is the first part of a planned network of 50 satellites built solely to spot wildfires while they are still small enough to stop.
Ukraine sent rescuers to help fight wildfires in France, and they returned from a first-of-its-kind mission. Workers of Ukraine's State Emergency Service (DSNS) have reached Ukraine from France, where they spent nearly two weeks helping to contain large forest fires, Interior Minister Ivan Vyhivskyi announced.
The deployment was Ukraine's first mission to aid an EU member state under the bloc's own civil-protection system, with a combined unit of 70 rescuers and 15 piec
Ukraine sent rescuers to help fight wildfires in France, and they returned from a first-of-its-kindmission. Workers of Ukraine's State Emergency Service (DSNS) have reached Ukraine from France, where they spent nearly two weeks helping to contain large forest fires, Interior Minister Ivan Vyhivskyi announced.
The deployment was Ukraine's first mission to aid an EU member state under the bloc's own civil-protection system, with a combined unit of 70 rescuers and 15 pieces of special equipment, a role reversal for a country that has spent the war receiving European aid rather than sending it.
What the team did in France
The Ukrainians worked the fires alongside crews from several countries. Their work involved dozens of call-outs, hundreds of hectares of surveyed territory, and fire pockets that kept smoldering underground, Vyhivskyi says
With them, they took wartime methods to the work. The Ukrainian rescuers patrolled the forests, used drones to spot new ignitions, and contained the fire together with their colleagues. The days became shared work and shared experience, uniting rescuers from Ukraine, France, Slovakia, and other countries, with different languages but with one profession and goal. For the European emergency employees, it was a chance to grasp the unique experience they gained during the full-scale war.
Ukrainian rescuers returned home after nearly two weeks helping fight massive wildfires in France, their first mission under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism
A joint unit of 70 rescuers and 15 pieces of specialized equipment patrolled forests alongside French, Slovak, and… pic.twitter.com/SXJvqemgQm
Vyhivskyi says that every day, Ukraine's rescuers respond to the aftermath of Russian strikes dozens of times, working in extremely difficult conditions, but despite those challenges, Ukraine is always ready to lend a shoulder to its partners.
When Ukrainian and French forces fought wildfires together, the combined detachment deployed six water tankers on the ground, supported from the air by three French aircraft, two planes, and a helicopter.
During the mission, the Ukrainian rescuers discovered that local residents hang “thousand thanks” banner in recognition of their service.
Michael Boren requested more aircraft for 7-acre Cabin Creek fire, some of which were diverted from other firesMichael Boren, the US undersecretary of agriculture for natural resources and environment who oversees the US Forest Service, reportedly pressed agency staff last month to deploy more aircraft to a 7-acre (2.8-hectare) fire that was burning near his Idaho ranch, according to a Washington Post report on Friday.The Cabin Creek fire in Idaho began on about 12 July as a result of an unatten
Michael Boren requested more aircraft for 7-acre Cabin Creek fire, some of which were diverted from other fires
Michael Boren, the US undersecretary of agriculture for natural resources and environment who oversees the US Forest Service, reportedly pressed agency staff last month to deploy more aircraft to a 7-acre (2.8-hectare) fire that was burning near his Idaho ranch, according to a Washington Post report on Friday.
The woman was arrested on suspicion of arson and possession of a controlled substance. Officials said she set multiple fires that later became part of the Bug fire, which has burned over 70,000 acres.
The woman was arrested on suspicion of arson and possession of a controlled substance. Officials said she set multiple fires that later became part of the Bug fire, which has burned over 70,000 acres.
With temperatures set to soar as high as 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 Celsius) this week, Europeans and tourists say that summer in Europe has lost its appeal.
With temperatures set to soar as high as 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 Celsius) this week, Europeans and tourists say that summer in Europe has lost its appeal.
About 20,000 people were ordered to evacuate over the weekend from the Bald Range fire. Weather conditions were not expected to provide much relief on Monday.
About 20,000 people were ordered to evacuate over the weekend from the Bald Range fire. Weather conditions were not expected to provide much relief on Monday.
The Bald Range fire has burned more than 25,000 acres in British Columbia. At one point, the fire spread more than 2,000 acres in about an hour, officials said.
The Bald Range fire has burned more than 25,000 acres in British Columbia. At one point, the fire spread more than 2,000 acres in about an hour, officials said.
Fire activity has increased sharply in British Columbia, with thousands evacuated from their homes just weeks after smoke from blazes in Ontario choked the East Coast.
Fire activity has increased sharply in British Columbia, with thousands evacuated from their homes just weeks after smoke from blazes in Ontario choked the East Coast.
After fleeing France’s worst wildfire in decades, residents of Le Porge, a village west of Bordeaux, returned home 13 days later. They found a town in ruins.
After fleeing France’s worst wildfire in decades, residents of Le Porge, a village west of Bordeaux, returned home 13 days later. They found a town in ruins.
Mario Freitas on the site of his ruined house in Le Porge, France, on Monday.
A brutal summer has exposed how much pressure European countries are under from forces largely out of their grip: war in Iran and Ukraine, record heat and more.
A brutal summer has exposed how much pressure European countries are under from forces largely out of their grip: war in Iran and Ukraine, record heat and more.
Wreckage from a firefighting helicopter that crashed after colliding with another helicopter during a wildfire operation near Psatha, Greece, on Sunday.
Connexion
