When tragedy strikes, America's wildland firefighters ask, was it 'somebody that we loved?'
An investigation into the deaths of three wildland firefighters in Colorado highlights the extreme conditions and risks faced by crews during a record-breaking wildfire season. The report details the failure of safety measures in zero-visibility smoke conditions, prompting questions about current firefighting policies.
Why it matters
Climate change is intensifying wildfire seasons, forcing a re-evaluation of safety protocols and the physical toll on emergency responders.
An initial report on the deaths of three wildland firefighters in late June sheds light on the extreme and dangerous conditions they faced.
On June 27, members of the Rifle Interagency Helitack Crew spent the morning working on two fires burning in rugged red rock country on the Colorado-Utah border. They were part of a specialized team that uses helicopters to respond to blazes, often rappelling down to the fireline.
Winds gusting beyond 50 miles per hour at times howled over bone-dry fuels itching to ignite.
Shortly after 12:30 p.m., a new blaze "exhibiting extreme fire behavior" was spotted, according to the report. Just before 3 p.m., the crew reported flames near their location. Ten minutes later, a helicopter was en route to rescue them.
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