Arizona Wildfire: Firefighters From Around The Country Help Battle Blaze

No one would characterize the massive Arizona wildfire as good news, but the tragic, ongoing disaster has prompted firefighters from across the country to pitch in.

From the Daily Mail:

Roughly 2,500 firefighters, including many from several western states and as far away as New York, are working to contain the wildfires, fire information officer Peter Frenzen said.

ABC 15 reports that some of the out-of-town blaze battlers are full-time firefighters, mostly from the Pacific Northwest. But some are seasonal workers or students.

The blaze nearly doubled in size between Sunday and Monday, with nearly 400 square miles up in smoke. Thousands have been evacuated.

WATCH:

Comments

[MaybeMilo]

10:42 AM on 06/12/2011

I used to do that kind of work - it was too tough for me to handle for more than 8 seasons.

These wildland firefighters - many of them employed by state and federal agencies using our tax dollars - are largely professional, very hard working folks that sacrifice time away from their families and risk their well being with the intent of protecting private, state, and national resources from harm.

True, they earn overtime and hazard pay - and the rush can be pretty intense - but a whole lot of folks receive the most gratification from the public service they perform.

Here's to them - mind your LCES.

[shthar]

11:27 PM on 06/07/2011

Has anyone made sure those firefighters are legal?

[SLCPunk]

03:22 PM on 06/07/2011

Wonder if they'll be checking the papers of the imported fire fighters or if they'll realize that some things trump political stunts.