Masks Off: Safety Gaps in Wildfire Fighting

Imagine approaching a wildfire with nothing but a bandana to protect you. That’s how U.S. Forest Service firefighters typically battle blazes – with no masks or other respiratory protection. New York Times reporter Hannah Dreier recently headed into the field to find out why. We’ll talk to Dreier and a California firefighter about why it’s been so hard to change the culture and policy around protective gear and how firefighters are dealing with the life-threatening effects.

Guests:

Hannah Dreier, investigative reporter, The New York Times

Joe Perez, firefighter based in Northern California

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices