During this Wildland Firefighter Week of Remembrance and on National Wildland Firefighter Day, July 2, I ask you all to join me in remembering firefighters who died in the line of duty and to thank those who protect natural resources and communities from wildfire.

To all wildland firefighters and support personnel, we are not only grateful to you but to your families and friends for the sacrifices that they make. Your work takes you away from them and the comforts of home for weeks and months at a time.

With more than a third of the population of the U.S. living in areas of high wildfire risk, this work desperately needs to be done. We thank you for your courage in taking on this demanding and dangerous work in service to our families, neighbors, and community members.

In turn, we are committed to providing the resources you need to safely do your job and recover from the challenges you face on the fireline. We will continue to focus on improving pay, benefits, mental and physical health resources, and work-life balance until firefighters have a sustainable career that rewards them for the unique and hazardous work they do.

Please watch the following video to see our dedicated firefighting employees in action in honor of National Wildland Firefighter Day.
 

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