For the firefighters

The current drought has caused more than just truncated crop yields in the west.

It has been a cause of numerous, large wildfires. In fact, the western United States is ablaze.

Our area is no exception. Large, destructive fires surround Whitman County, and smaller ones have dotted the fields within the county.

Smoke from the multitude of fires has covered the county in a haze. Air quality, as a result, has been classified as "unhealthy" and, in some cases, "hazardous." Outdoor activities have been cancelled, simply to avoid exposure to the smoke.

The fires are so numerous that firefighting resources are stretched to the limit. Experienced crews are needed throughout the west. Some National Guard troops have be called in to help. Fire crews from Australia and New Zealand have been recruited to fill the shortages on the front lines. Volunteers have been requested, not to actually fight the fires, but to provide support assistance.

This fire season is historic. Thousands of square miles have been charred, homes have been destroyed and three firefighters have been killed.

On top of the parched terrain, heat and winds have hampered the efforts to contain and control the fires.

Despite the adverse conditions, firefighters have fought the blazes heroically. They have helped to minimize the ravages of the fires, saved countless lives and protected property, crops and livestock.

As some fires are contained, new ones will eventually ignite.

This is not good news for the firefighters. They are exhausted and overstretched, but they are not seeing the end of their work. Until the weather cools and rain helps to extinguish some blazes, they will remain on the fire lines.

These thousands who are fighting to protect our wilderness, our homes and our property should not be forgotten. Hearts automatically go out to the many who have lost their homes and who have suffered serious losses, but often those actually fighting the fires are looked upon as just doing their jobs.

Perhaps that is because there are so many of them.

They are the faceless warriors in yellow, running hoses, climbing steep hills to get to fires, hacking away at underbrush to make firebreaks and struggling under the weight of their gear and the heat of the day. They have suffered death, serious burns, heat prostration and long, exhausting hours.

They have been there when we needed them.

Thank you.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher