For many people in Northern Arizona, wildfire season is something we watch closely from home. We check evacuation maps, follow road closures and wait for updates when smoke settles over the horizon.
For first responders, those same events can mean long days, dangerous conditions and repeated exposure to situations most people hope never to face – and it’s not just firefighters who are affected. They may be working directly on the fire line, but law enforcement officers, EMS personnel and other responders help with evacuations, road closures, medical calls and keep communities safe as conditions change.