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Cal Fire Chief Faces Grueling 36 Day Push in West Firefronts
Justin Silvera, 43, battalion chief for Cal Fire, describes 36 straight fire days in Northern California as the West reels from record firefighting demand. He and crews logged 64 hour stretches with 20 minute naps, battled blazes from Santa Cruz County to the Oregon border, while resources stretch thin across nine states and even Canada and Israel. The pandemic amplifies strain as officials warn of shortages and fatigue across air tankers, helicopters, dozers, and crews, with firefighters warned to balance rapid extinguishment against fuels buildup and bigger fires.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Justin Silvera
California
Silvera
Cal Fire
Santa Cruz County
Oregon
West Coast
Washington
George Geissler
West
Canada
Israel
Geissler
Stahl
U.S. Forest Service
Vickie Christiansen
Forest Service
Kaari Carpenter
Boise
Tim Ingalsbee
Firefighters United For Safety, Ethics and Ecology
Christiansen
Ingalsbee
Mexico
Tim Edwards
Union
Edwards