The United States and Canada have always been good neighbors in many regards, particularly their willingness to share wildland firefighting resources. In years past, they shared airplanes, helicopters, vehicles, and trained personnel. This year marks a shift in that relationship. This year, both countries battle colossal fires and cannot share resources, despite the fact that “both countries have developed their wildfire response plans around having access to resources from their neighbor.”

1. Near–Apocalyptic Fire Season Limits U.S. and Canadian Resources
The United States and Canada have always been good neighbors in many regards,
particularly their willingness to share wildland firefighting resources. In years past, they
shared airplanes, helicopters, vehicles, and trained personnel.
This year marks a shift in that relationship. This year, both countries battle colossal fires
and cannot share resources, despite the fact that “both countries have developed their
wildfire response plans around having access to resources from their neighbor.”
One of the earliest and worst wildland fire seasons is underway, leaving communities
across the western U.S. and Canada on high alert. Many western residents of North
America have been warned of the potential catastrophic fire conditions which may
surpass last year’s horrific wildfire season.
“Much of the risk comes from major drought across the continent including Western
Canada, most of the Western U.S. from the Pacific through the Midwest and almost all
of Mexico,” according to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.
The organization noted that as of Aug. 8, numerous planes have been deployed by the
U.S. National Guard and Canadian military, “Mexican firefighters are battling fires in
Canada, and at least one air tanker has been deployed from Australia.”
The blazes produce great risk as firefighters who have been in the business for decades
are facing apocalyptic-type circumstances.
The massive Bootleg Fire is even producing its own weather and disrupting the
atmosphere. Caused by drought followed by a heat wave, it has now exceeded 340,000
acres or 530 square miles, according to New York Times reporting. There is even
concern that it could produce the rare and terrifying fire tornado.
The sub headline for the New York Times article: “Unpredictable winds, fire clouds that
spawn lightning, and flames that leap over firebreaks are confounding efforts to fight the
blaze, which is sweeping through southern Oregon.”
One wildland firefighter was able to pen an account of fighting that blaze, despite
exhaustive and continuous 14-hour days.

2. Heat exhaustion is an ever present job hazard, particularly for those firefighters put to
work with chainsaws who wear thick chaps for safety. The way he describes it, they
almost take turns succumbing to and recuperating from the exhaustion.
“When I’m on the job, I rely on four gallons of water and bottles of Gatorade to get
through each day. I just scarfed down a meal of chopped turkey, mashed potatoes and
salad, handed out on a Styrofoam tray at the local school,” he wrote.
He then posed a question: In all the rampant debate over climate change, is anyone
noticing taking notice?
“But the fact is, fires are getting worse right now and with everything drying up they’re
going to get closer and closer to home. Sometimes I wonder if anyone else is even
noticing what’s happening,” he wrote.
Despite constant pain he said he is staying mentally strong.
“Sometimes I think about everything I’m able to do in a single day and wonder how I’m
not even more tired. Maybe it’s all of the people praying for us and relying on our work
or maybe it’s just knowing all of the homes and other important spaces we’re protecting.
Whatever it is, I’m glad it’s there,” he wrote.