The 2021 wildfire season slogs on, with roughly two dozen major fires burning across Oregon. A McKenzie River Ranger District official says this year “started early and will end late”, with many fire crews experiencing “cumulative fatigue.”
Lauren DuRocher, a public information officer with the Middle Fork Complex, said firefighters are tired, but focused.
“We’re all do what can to manage the fatigue," she told KLCC. "By taking time off between assignments, taking breaks throughout the day.
"And so really just managing that fatigue as best as possible, especially going from assignment to assignment, it is what firefighters train for, and what they sorta expect to this summer, is to continue to work throughout that entire fire season.”
An Oregon forestry official said since July 14th, regional and national agencies have been at planning level 5. That’s the highest level, meaning those able to fight fires are already doing so.
Copyright 2021, KLCC.
