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Travel to any small country village, town, or large city, and sooner or later, you will drive by the area's firehouse. The fire station, whether it be a remote wildland fire crew station or a multiple-layered urban complex, is a very important part of any community's fabric.

Each year, millions of acres of our wildlands go up in flames. Not only do these loose fires threaten the natural environment, but with the growing wildland-urban interface, increased numbers of homes and businesses are also consumed.

We have a very dedicated and well-trained cadre of professional wildland and urban fire crews, plus a multitude of volunteer firemen that place themselves in harm's way every year to protect our natural resources, homes, businesses, and lives. Within this number, the United States has approximately 20,000 paid wildland firefighters.

The professionals at Streetwise® work with fire crews all across the country with emergency training, logistical support, and computer software, and understand the inherent danger firefighters have to work through.

Although all aspects of fire fighting can be very dangerous and can create long-term emotional and physical health problems long after the last fire is put out to our firefighters, this article will discuss those major issues challenging wildland firefighters primarily.

Firefighting is a dangerous business that only a few people out of the total population engage in. Firefighters attack a natural element that people fear. Fire should be respected, but not necessarily feared. Fires can be controlled. They can finally be contained, even if it is only the weather that contains them. 

Firefighters respond to all types of emergencies during their everyday work. One moment a firefighter is sitting in the shade, enjoying a sunset over the Wind River Range of Wyoming, and the next moment, the firefighter is struggling up a steep grade, the torch in hand, attempting to set a backfire or rolling out a hose lay to protect a home from being totally destroyed.

The professionals at StreetWise work with fire crews all across the country with emergency training, logistical support, and computer software and understand the inherent danger firefighters have to work through.

This country is blessed with millions of acres of public land where you can get away from the stresses of life in your normal world and lose yourself in all that nature provides, either through backpacking into the remote country or setting up in an organized campground with your RV.

From the first time that mankind harnessed fire, we have enjoyed the many benefits that this natural wonder provides. A major part of any camping experience is building the campfire. The fire provides warmth on a cold night, comfort during the dark, a central place to gather and enjoy the company of friends, and the means to cook our food.

However, fire can also cause devastation to the natural world that we are enjoying as well if we do not control it and allow it to continue unmonitored.