An in-depth look at the men and women who fight the most dangerous a deadly wildfires in the United States. Dave Malkoff [ davemalkoff.com] hosts this documentary.
Canadian's were the first to go over. My sister lives near Sydney, it's worrying. My brother in-law golfs in the smoke because there is no way to avoid it, it's everywhere.
As an American living in california 6 months later and surrounded by massive wildfires, I am humbled that your country is sending people to assist us. Our firefighters are stretched so thin with so many fires, and we are extrememly grateful for you guys coming to help us as well in our time of need
These tankers are amazing, a pilot doesn’t know me but he saved me from deploying my fire shelter. If I ever get the chance to thank him I hope I can find the words
As an Australian with family in fire affected zones currently, I'd like to thank old mate who hadn't had a break and had been here helping us with our fires from the bottom of my heart, your family should be proud as all get out of the amazing job you're doing! We aussies sure are 😊
@@MichellinavanLoder My family lost a friend in the Canberra fire. Apparently from that fire that the first time in the world a fire tornado was observed and recorded.
NO MERCY! They brought it down on all of us because of Industrial GREED! This is what happens when stupid sheeple/ people allow the timber industry to wipe out all the ancient forests causing a drought! No old growth trees in the mountains left! there is nothing to grab onto the clouds as they pass over so there is less rain. And when the rains DO come there is no ancient forests to hold the water during the wet season, to release during the dry season!!!! and the rest of you supported the timber industry so shut up you deserve to loose everything you have!
@@josephapawelczyk Am I gonna get guys like you looking into my stuff then telling me to not speak about what they found? I think it'll be pretty easy to save any co workers time and ears from any useless opionin of mine. Regardless of their desire for a reaction out of me.
@@pacxpodcast6456 Hey Pac... Welcome to the family! Not too sure what joseph pawelczyk got jammed in his ass, but on my crew, your opinions and conspiracy chatter will make for some good conversation in the buggy. 44 years into wildland- CRWB, ENGB, FAL1, etc. Shots, engines, hand crews, fuels mods., Type1&2 IA, Fuels, WFM, and so on. Fed., State, County and Muni experience. Retired but still arduous and active on a Fed. Hand Crew and Engines. The only thing you avoid talking about is how shitty the hot buckets (often cold and unidentifiable once delivered to spike) are-unless you want to be "advised" that your chow options have been reduced to the crushed, partially vandalized and picked through MREs' in the bottom of your IA gear. Dealt with and got rid of many a douche with jp type attitudes. Hope to see you out there.
Hats of to all my brother and sisters out there on the lines and to the husband and wife’s holding it down back home so much love and respect goes to you guys because it is way harder to handle the family when you are out there on the line
Fighting fire's in the city or in the bush you're all crazy but amazing,, you're underpaid,, overworked and face more than just fire and smoke hazard's,, the health risks that alot of people don't think of for example the amount of toxic air you breathe in and the chemicals that seap into your skin that can cause cancers,, hat's of to you blokes and ladies,, without you guys we'd all be worse off!! Cheers!!
I am so grateful that I live in an country where such fires are definitely very rare, I have absolute respect for firefighters, and in the case of these firefighters I have total and absolute respect, with a special mention for the smoke jumpers, that takes massive brass ones to jump into a fire with minimal equipment and support. I can honestly say that having spent 24 years in the military I would not swap it for one hour as a fire fighter, whether that was a domestic or wildfire operator or not, they are amongst the heroes who keep us all that little bit safer. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE!! You & your family. I pray you find a new way to fight fires & stay close to home. You gotta be with those awesome kids. ♥️♥️♥️
This documentary was very well done. You seem to have covered all stages of fire and firefighting.I have been on both sides of the fire as a firefighter and an anxious wife waiting for my husband to get home. I love your graphics.
Two things that impress me to no end: 1: Wildland firefighters, because their job is to literally save the world 2: The Weather Channel’s apparent ability to produce a captivating documentary
I had a teacher in highschool who was a fire captain at one of our local fire stations. He always joked with us that Teaching was his second job even though teaching was the job that paid. well one day we had a really bad fire, like all hands on deck, even people off duty need to get over here and help. so he gets the call, and he looked at us told us he'd be right back walked down to the history office grabbed one of the other teachers popped back into our classroom and said 'gotta go. work calls,' and that's when I realized that being a fire fighter or cop or even an EMT, any kind of first responder isn't just a job. It's your LIFE. It's who you are, and that's amazing. These men and women are amazing.
I lived in Magalia, CA. After the Camp Fire, I was gobsmacked at the sheer stupidity streaming through the comments section of videos about the fire. People saying things like "bombs were planted" "this isn't a natural fire because the trees are still standing"--one, living trees don't incinerate like dead wood will, and two, every single residence above the Reservoir was on propane, and when the fire reached that area, the tanks exploded, hence the "bombs".
You hit the nail right on the head. There was no end to the stupid-conspiracy theories after the Camp Fire and those same stupid theories, in addition to some new ones, are still around.
Karen its called Willful ignorance and it is very prevalent in America. Karen, This is a Function of Climate Change. Humans have been burning fossil fuels "Ancient co2 that was in the atmphere and where the Atmospheric temperatures were 300-400F". Co2 regulates the temperature of the planet. Eventually Human Civilization will start to collapse as most humans escape from the Us states that are in the hot zone, causing a humanitarian crisis of lack of affordable "and available' hosing near the Canadian border. Co2 emissions are also causing temperatures to climb in India and Africa. Slash burning in Amazon and Congo are causing co2 levels to sky rocket. Melting of permafrost in the Arctic is releasing huge amounts of co2 due to decomposition. Methane hydrates at the bottom of the ocean are starting to melt and release huge amounts of methane and that is 10 times more powerful.
Huge respect to the men and women who fight the fires. I don't know why so much focus on the family who has it SO hard after choosing to have 3 children, live in a huge house on a large property in a beautiful small town. It's emotionally hard to be away from loved ones, but dealing with day to day chores is just life. I know quite a few single mothers who do all that and have to work to support themselves and their children on top of that.
I've been under and around Brians' drops. He is one of the best dot connecting and ridge painting pilots we have around. We'll see ya soon-hugs to the family and thanks to you.
As a person that has sat down and talked with a person thats missed months to even years of their kids lives bc of their job this hits me on a different level bc if I didn't know Him and how he feels and how he has to miss all of the things in his life with his kids and 9 months on a boat and like 2 weeks at home before you have to go back. These people are so strong and so tough to be able to take over both roles in a parenthood position and Do things that the man would be required to do. Its just heart breaking. I thank these people everyday for what they do.
I almost feel like a new branch of the military should be formed to deal with this issue specifically. Think about DOD funding and one consolidated force that is part of the military where essentially you can join to become a firefighter and be deployed anywhere to fight fires
I've always thought of this too. The military already has a large amount of firefighters who work on ships or airfields in case of a fire. The should start deploying more of them to these fires.
You really are that stupid???? how about using the military thats already there! rather than fighting to protect oil fields and poppy fields try fighting fires instead of each other! Stupid sheeple! Damn!
It’s called the National Guard, both Air and Army Guard units deploy to fire/disasters. The problem is they are the last to be called. Four C-130 Air Guard/reserve unit’s have MAFFs and some states have Army Guard with helicopters with Bambi buckets. Congress should be changing the command of fire response so Guard units become in command once the fire get to large. DOD could also use humvees, Oshkosh 6x6, 8x8 that would go up for auction and add firefighting water tank/pump skid units to those vehicles. But I guess I’m too practical in my thinking 🤔 for this to used.
I'm surprised that they didn't feature clips from "Always" (1989). But in all seriousness, our thoughts and prayers are always be with the residents and firefighters in these wildfires.
I was a hot shot in the 80's fighting wildfires and loved it. If I wasn't an old man I would be there in a second. Still have a tendency to go toward smoke not away.
1988 Yellowstone. Was in a car that was just barely grazed by a C-130 dumping pink goop. The car was rocked by the event. Thank you for exposing us to these good people.
God bless all these ppl risking there lives to fight these fires. I am praying for all of them even today with the Oregon fires and having to deal with over 100 degree temps and the covid19 virus also! May Yashua protect them always
Massive respect to all firefighters. Wildfires burn at an average of around 1500 degrees, and wind changes fast. Thank you to all firefighters. We couldn't make it without you all.
more fuel more fires, when they stopped control burns they added more fuel, but they know everything. Then you have people moving into areas that they just shouldn't be in.
Jimmy Smith amen mate. You have researched this haven’t you. 100 yrs of fire suppression left dead dry trees and under brush. Ppl don’t understand fire is nature’s friend it puts required goodness back into the soil and it allows sunlight to reach the ground and new growth to start. The American Indians knew this ,they actually use to do like semi controlled burns on grass lands etc,everything comes back thicker greener and healthier. Some with fires in sth America. When I learnt this I started adding fireplace ash to my pot plants,I also go out and breath on my plants cause plant lifes food is co2. It’s so good to meet someone who knows the truth of it.
@Clifton Terrell, and I thought California sent all of it's IDIOTS to Washington but it appears they must have a colony of them still there. No wonder that state is so screwed up, no pun intended.
That pilot's wife didn't sound like a very good wife. Basically saying that he's leaving her unprotected with the kids and that he's not there to protect them. Well maybe she could do her part buy a weapon know how to use it and defend your family while your husband's out saving lives. She should be grateful that she has a husband that is a serious straight up hero. It takes a lot of selflessness to put the needs of the many above those closest to you. she should be more grateful that she has someone who is so honorable as her husband.
We just lost around 10-15 million acres in Australia last summer,, never ever under expect the potential of extremely widespread bushfires (wildfires) stretching millions of acres to be unlikely,, all it took for ours was 2 year's of drought,, it was so dry that alot of the forest's burnt out were sub-tropical rain forests,, many of which haven't burnt in my 31 year's with some area's not actually having a single fire for well over 50 year's
What a courage by the firefighters. I live in Germay in the middle of a forest area and I'm weak and nervous every season expecting a big fire. We have only two roads to go out on a safety place. It is a lovely place to live at, but if it's very dry at summer, the danger and risk increases with every week. The firefighters are heroes! On the ground and in the air.Thanks!
As a Portuguese unfortunably here in Portugal we every year have to deal with that " Hell on Earth" ocasions,and sometimes very deadly like in 2017 when 120+ people died on the wilfires( 80% of then from Arson). Its a Sad Horror to see such a beautiful country disappear in ashes.
That’s why we usually don’t like to get helitanker water dumped on us. It might seem refreshing but a lot of the time it’s from the local waste stabilization pond.
THE PILOT GUY BRYAN BAKER IN THE C130 IS A TRUE HERO IN THE FIRE FIGHTERS. I USED TO BE IN THE NEW SOUTH WALES. AUSTRALIA BUSH FIRE FIGHTERS & I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR US BROTHERS FOR HELPING US AUSSIES COPE WITH THE FIRE SEASONS HERE.
I’m Australian and, seeing this makes me tear up..even tho Australia has had way worse fire like black summer, black Saturday, Canberra firestorm, black Christmas, etc his still makes me sad..
41:28 fire-activated seeds are truly awesome. When the fire releases the seeds, it has already cleared away the "competition" (dead brush, other low plants) so the seeds have a way to grow and access the sunlight. Truly amazing evolution of seeds.
No winds is great when fighting fires but is dangerous when trying to land a chute. The canopy needs forward speed or forward wind to generate lift and soft landings.
i remember working on some of the ericksons including 103.at 1 point the fire retardant cause engines to stop running.we had to redo the mod to have it.i also have their mug etc i got a Christmas gift.and also worked on their dc10...goodyear airport az.
Phoschek Powder consists of Ammonium Phosphate Gum and Iron Oxide. The Ammonium Phosphate is the retardant, the Gum is to add viscosity to the retardant when mixed with water and the Iron Oxide is a marker to enable the spotter planes and tanker pilots to see the areas already covered.
Thank goodness for all firefighters, they are heroes. Their families live with the knowledge they may not come home after the fire. I feel a little sorry for the woman who married a firefighter, knowing he would be gone much of the time, having kids then feeling neglected, that she needs him there to protect her. I guess it takes a strong person to live with heroes.
This documentary highlights an important forgotten segment of First Responders, the family. Behind every brave policeman, fireman, and Paramedic is a family even stronger than they are. As a LEO I speak from experience. My wife and son are stronger and paid the price for my poor career choices.
no your the fellow who puts trash and crap behind bars you have made no bad career decision trust me ive worked with law enforcement as a stadium security guard and you do important work. because of men like yourself we sleep well at night didnt say we woouldnt cuss your name when we get a ticket but thanks for all you do. dont worry about blm and antifa they call for you when even they get into trouble we love you man
I remember my forestry instructor telling to get to be a smoke jumper you have to be so competitive when your alarm goes off your feet race to see which one hits the floor first. I ve seen a fire nado once on a control burn with lots of fuel that was really dry. It wasn t very big but began as fire then moved away from the heat and flames and was visible with smoke and ash and at this stage picked up a small tree that had been pushed over and cut by a drum chopper but was still attached to its roots. ,then fell as vortex died out. Here in NC we have some areas with peat soils that catch fire and smolder as long as there's enough peat/fuel. We extinguish these fires using a large sprinkler system and pumping water from a source and saturating the ground. Black and very nasty work that's not for an old retiree like myself lol. My thanks and respects for our nation's fire fighters and my prayers for safety, precipitation and calm winds.. God bless you all.
Family is precious. But, if no one put this type of work as the priority, then the families around the fire would suffer more. He’s doing it so other families can continue being a family. Which is also precious work.
No one else is flying the plane, they need him pretty bad. His family is doing very well, and they sure enjoy the money he pours into their accounts. These things need to be stopped and once they start, this is the guy to do it. Maybe saving people from burning to death is more important than spending even most days with family, because ur making sure a shitload of other people see their family and don't burn to death .
In our situation we were told to leave so we packed up the pets and the essentials and left. Some of my friends decided to stay and defend, sadly one of them died trying to defend his home. So glad we left as our house burned down but we had insurance and we lived.
31:21- is not a fire tornado! its a fire wirl which is attached to the ground. a fire tornado is a proper tornado in and caused by the fire. only know film footage is from a fire in Australia
My Dad used to say that if you could develop a CO2 bomb, would that put out a fire? Similar to how they use dynamite to put out an oil well fire. It’s a reasonable thought. I wonder if it’s ever been tried.
I appreciate the men and women that work so hard. I do not appreciate the married stay at home mom with the beautiful home and nice car complaining because she is parenting alone so much. She has no idea what it is like truly being a single parent. She doesn't have to work a paying job, arrange daycare, or juggle bills.
I see a lot of openings where the jumpers why not have a sky crane put in a container as a rest area and holding supplies and sleeping instead of a tent
did wildland firefighting for a few years, hated it..I was gone 9 months out of the year, the pay was a joke..there was some aspects that were fun, meeting new people and seeing new places, but the amount of time spent on the job didn't equate to the amount of money I was making..now I work for a big city, as a fire medic and make 10x the amount
Tara, u r a great wife and a God sent to your husband. Thanks for standing by him,,,that's true love. I'm praying for you and all those who r in your position
The voters are to blame. They vote for democrat environmentalist candidates who dont want forest management and then act all surprised when this shit happens.
There are lots and lots and lots of people in the World out there making sacrifices every single day. It's called life and the choices we make. God bless all the fire🔥fighters for their sacrifices of saving lives👍👍.
As a 20 Year retired veteran of the fire service in upstate N.Y Sullivan, Ulster counties we have had some pretty big wild fires in my time. As I watch this, and even back then, these guys are my hero's of the fire service. I say that because they have the equipment and experience I could only dream of having and working. Around my area it's mostly structure fires, auto accidents etc. Even though I'm retired, I'm still part of the brotherhood for life. It's in my blood and still would if I could. Also respect to the Inmate fire crews who do a great job at CAL. Fire. Just a shame they cannot continue after their sentence, which would give them a great chance of a career and follow a straight path. I love the wife's warning sign: Forget the dogs beware of the wife. Hell, hath no fury as a mama protecting her child(ren)!
It isn't the dead snags due to insect infestations that are the cause of the massive fires. It is about a century of aggressive fire suppression - so the under-story hasn't burned off like it used to. That has produced a massive easy-to-burn fuel supply.
I am grateful for EVERYSINGLE FIREFIGHTER however they need to praise and do stories on the wives and lives of the ca. Dept. Of corrections firefighters who are on the frontline and getting paid little to nothing but time knocked off their sentence.... brave and forgotten heroes!
I remember watching the movie 72 hours Oakland fire and its like a very good Hollywood movie with news footage from it and a bunch of other fires start up in the woods cause by camp fires and arsonists as well
10:19 "she's managing a home with 3 kids pretty much by herself...." Single mothers have to do this all the time. They also have to pack up all the boxes and move from one place to another all by themselves. And, they have to figure out how to repair things that break in their homes as well. At least she DOES have a husband and father who comes home to her and the children...even if it's not everyday. And, she has the added bonus of a husband who is providing for them financially...something single parents don't usually have. Not only that, she gets to be home for her kids and gets to raise them herself in a beautiful home as opposed to letting daycare providers and others do it. Count your blessings! Just saying....
US forest service, bureau of land management, cal fire, county fire depts, city fire depts, bureau of indian affairs, us park service, fish and wildlife, other state fire depts, air tankers captains, PG&E workers, so cal Edison workers, and EMS workers are part of all these heroes who protect california lets not forget inmates as well
I think the emotional side of not having your partner there is the most difficult women can learn to fix a fence as easily as a man can 😅 Great respect and appreciation to all the firefighters and their families Thank You ❤
You know what? I LOVE the inmates who volunteer to help with wild fires and we certainly need them. If prison is about rehabilitation, what better rehab is there than to train to become a firefighter and work with Cal Fire and/or the Forestry Service? Doing this work gives a person their dignity back, and I don't care what they did in the past, they're becoming those "useful members of society" we keep hearing about. But more importantly, they feel like they're contributing to the greater good and actually making a difference. That alone can change someone's outlook on life.
I went to flight school. But then decided I wanted to be home with my family more than I wanted to fly. This guy is missing out on times he will never get back with his kids.
