Kelly Ramsey, the first woman in nearly a decade to join the Rowdy River Hotshots, discusses her experiences as a wildland firefighter in her memoir, Wildfire Days. She explores rigorous training and physical demands alongside personal growth from battling fires. The urgent reality of budget cuts affecting firefighter numbers raises concerns as wildfires grow increasingly severe, exemplified by the recent layoff of 1,600 firefighters. Preparedness Level 5 indicates critical understaffing during peak fire danger. Ramsey also addresses the profession's psychological toll and advocates for wildfire preparedness, including home hardening and evacuation strategies for those in vulnerable areas.
Kelly Ramsey, the first woman in nearly a decade to join the Rowdy River Hotshots, shares insights from her memoir detailing her two years as a wildland firefighter.
With budget cuts resulting in 1,600 firefighter layoffs and an escalating wildfire crisis, Ramsey warns of the dangers associated with operating at Preparedness Level 5.
Ramsey's experience highlights the personal transformation and intense physical and psychological challenges faced by elite wildland firefighters, often navigating a male-dominated environment.
She emphasizes the importance of home hardening and evacuation preparedness for residents in wildfire-prone areas, urging proactive measures as wildfire risks grow.
Collection
[
|
...
]