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angrychair

(11,506 posts)
1. It's mixed bag to be honest
Mon Nov 17, 2025, 03:52 PM
10 hrs ago

For reference I worked in wildfire for 11 years as part of type 3, 2 and 1 teams as a facilities unit leader and base camp manager and type 3 log chief. I've managed spike camps in some of the most awful conditions. I stewed for days in conditions that all but blotted out the Sun and ash fell line snow.

We have heard for years about respirators coming but one of the rubs is that wildland firefighters and support staff could be in stuck in unhealthy air conditions for weeks at a time, on the fire line, at a spike or even at the ICP.
Wildland firefighters are moving heavy equipment, hiking up steep inclines in 90⁰ weather and depending on the mask it just may not be comfortable or even realistic to wear a mask all the time. The wrong type of mask would be awkward, uncomfortable and impact situational awareness. It's just not the same situation as structural firefighters.
There are good ones out there but they are expensive. Hopefully this gets done the right way and funded properly to protect people without significantly impacting safety.

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