Ryan Lucas

Yeah, this was a big one. More than 20,000 acres in the rural White Mountains of eastern Arizona. At its height, more than 700 personnel were fighting it, and they pulled off what I think was a bit of a miracle by building miles of fire line in anticipation of heavy winds. Fortunately, they were successful in keeping the fire from progressing toward local communities.

Yeah, this was a big one. More than 20,000 acres in the rural White Mountains of eastern Arizona. At its height, more than 700 personnel were fighting it, and they pulled off what I think was a bit of a miracle by building miles of fire line in anticipation of heavy winds. Fortunately, they were successful in keeping the fire from progressing toward local communities.

Yeah, this was a big one. More than 20,000 acres in the rural White Mountains of eastern Arizona. At its height, more than 700 personnel were fighting it, and they pulled off what I think was a bit of a miracle by building miles of fire line in anticipation of heavy winds. Fortunately, they were successful in keeping the fire from progressing toward local communities.

Well, forecasters say the southwest, along with parts of southern Nevada, Utah and Colorado, are facing higher than normal potential for wildfire over the next month or so. You know, a lot of people in Rocky Mountain states, including us here in Flagstaff, are worried because it was a below average year for snowfall. And that can really create especially dry conditions.

Well, forecasters say the southwest, along with parts of southern Nevada, Utah and Colorado, are facing higher than normal potential for wildfire over the next month or so. You know, a lot of people in Rocky Mountain states, including us here in Flagstaff, are worried because it was a below average year for snowfall. And that can really create especially dry conditions.

Well, forecasters say the southwest, along with parts of southern Nevada, Utah and Colorado, are facing higher than normal potential for wildfire over the next month or so. You know, a lot of people in Rocky Mountain states, including us here in Flagstaff, are worried because it was a below average year for snowfall. And that can really create especially dry conditions.

Elevated fire danger is also predicted in parts of central and southern California, and will stretch up into eastern Washington and the Idaho Panhandle, along with parts of Texas and Oklahoma. Even some mid-Atlantic states, Minnesota and Florida, are facing possible wildfires.

Elevated fire danger is also predicted in parts of central and southern California, and will stretch up into eastern Washington and the Idaho Panhandle, along with parts of Texas and Oklahoma. Even some mid-Atlantic states, Minnesota and Florida, are facing possible wildfires.

Elevated fire danger is also predicted in parts of central and southern California, and will stretch up into eastern Washington and the Idaho Panhandle, along with parts of Texas and Oklahoma. Even some mid-Atlantic states, Minnesota and Florida, are facing possible wildfires.

Well, it really remains to be seen how layoffs will affect firefighting this season. And yes, it's true that frontline firefighters were spared from the Doge staffing cuts earlier this year, but an unknown number of Forest Service employees who do contribute to firefighting work were affected.

Well, it really remains to be seen how layoffs will affect firefighting this season. And yes, it's true that frontline firefighters were spared from the Doge staffing cuts earlier this year, but an unknown number of Forest Service employees who do contribute to firefighting work were affected.

Well, it really remains to be seen how layoffs will affect firefighting this season. And yes, it's true that frontline firefighters were spared from the Doge staffing cuts earlier this year, but an unknown number of Forest Service employees who do contribute to firefighting work were affected.

Those with what are known as red cards, these are employees who don't typically work in fire, but can hop in if needed. They're especially important with wildfire starts and that are near communities to really beef up the firefighting staff.

Those with what are known as red cards, these are employees who don't typically work in fire, but can hop in if needed. They're especially important with wildfire starts and that are near communities to really beef up the firefighting staff.

Those with what are known as red cards, these are employees who don't typically work in fire, but can hop in if needed. They're especially important with wildfire starts and that are near communities to really beef up the firefighting staff.

Full-time firefighters are still out there doing the hard work, of course, but there's a worry that the hotshot crews and others could ultimately be short-staffed. And when these big wildfires do pop up, the personnel just won't be there to adequately respond. Wow. All right. So what are you going to be watching for as this fire season unfolds? We're going to see what the federal response is like.

Full-time firefighters are still out there doing the hard work, of course, but there's a worry that the hotshot crews and others could ultimately be short-staffed. And when these big wildfires do pop up, the personnel just won't be there to adequately respond. Wow. All right. So what are you going to be watching for as this fire season unfolds? We're going to see what the federal response is like.

Full-time firefighters are still out there doing the hard work, of course, but there's a worry that the hotshot crews and others could ultimately be short-staffed. And when these big wildfires do pop up, the personnel just won't be there to adequately respond. Wow. All right. So what are you going to be watching for as this fire season unfolds? We're going to see what the federal response is like.

Of course, sources have been telling NPR that some of the people who either chose to leave or were fired from the Forest Service are among the most experienced in leading wildland firefighting crews. Some of those folks with the red cards I talked about. Even though firefighting isn't their full-time job, they spend a lot of time doing it and are in leadership positions.

Of course, sources have been telling NPR that some of the people who either chose to leave or were fired from the Forest Service are among the most experienced in leading wildland firefighting crews. Some of those folks with the red cards I talked about. Even though firefighting isn't their full-time job, they spend a lot of time doing it and are in leadership positions.