Smoke fills the sky. The day is as dark as night. Heat makes it hard to breathe This is the world of a wildfire fighter!
Wildfires are a part of nature. But, as one firefighter says, "Fire is not a problem. People living near fire-that's the problem." A wildfire can destroy everything in its way. But there are ways to fight it.
Smokejumpers are often the first firefighters to reach a fire. To get closer, they jump from a plane. important when the is They are especially difficult to walk to. If smokejumpers can't stop a fire in 24 hours, other firefighters join them. This second group drops water and sometimes chemicals on the fire from an airplane.
On the ground, firefighters work together to stop the fire. First, one group digs a fire line. This is a long deep ditch. It is difficult for the fire to cross this line.
They while those firefighters dig, others start a backfire. They burn the dry grass and leaves between the wildfire and the fire line. When the wildfire comes, there is nothing for it to use as fuel.
Other firefighters cut down dead trees. That way the fire can't move to other trees.
Firefighters risk their lives to keep people safe. Their job takes hard work, and it takes courage.