Over 21,000 federal firefighters have been busy over the past month battling wildfires that have burned over 6,000 square miles of land in the western United States.
Forest Service Officer Chris Joyner works in Land Between the Lakes and was one of those assigned to help in the firefighting efforts. He returned home last week due to mandatory time off after three weeks out west.
Joyner was assigned to the Lolo Forest fire in western Montana that began with a lightning strike on July 7. He said coming home is part of a normal rotation of forest service officers.
click to download audioThe Lolo Forest fire is one of 26 active, large fires burning in Montana that has burned over a half-million acres.
The U.S. Forest Service said Friday it’s operating in crisis mode, fully deploying firefighters and maxing out its support system.
Joyner said the Forest Service has to do more than just put water on the fire with detailed planning completed ahead of time for sustainability reasons.
click to download audioJoyner is one of 28 forest service officers from the area that traveled west to help fight fires on U.S. Forest Service lands. He said the help is offered because its not known when LBL or another nearby forestry property will need help of its own.
click to download audioClimate change has made the western region of the United States warmer and drier in the past 30 years and scientists say that will continue to make the weather more extreme and wildfires more destructive.
