Photos of What It’s Like to Fight A Forest Fire
This photo story takes you right into the heart of the battle against wildland fire, revealing the intense labor and the sacrifice demanded of firefighters. But what does that fight actually look like? Prepare yourself to go behind-the-scenes and see the heroic work of the men and women who risk everything to save forests and communities.
Image Credit: Robert Hyatt, NOAA’s National Weather Service
Firefighters Getting Ready
Firefighters in Nomex clothing prepare to head to the fire line.
Image Credit: Robert Hyatt, NOAA’s National Weather Service
Oregon
Rum Creek fire near Merlin, Oregon, September 20, 2022.
Image Credit: Robert Hyatt, NOAA’s National Weather Service
An Escape Route
A firefighter cuts brush near an escape route for the crew battling the Rum Creek Fire in southwest Oregon.
Image Credit: Robert Hyatt, NOAA’s National Weather Service
At The Fire Camp
IMETs communicate with members.
Image Credit: Robert Hyatt, NOAA’s National Weather Service
Rum Creek Fire
The evacuation of multiple communities occurred on August 30, 2022 due to the spread of the fire.
Image Credit: Robert Hyatt, NOAA’s National Weather Service
California
Wildfire impacts in Klamath River town, California, near KIamath National Forest.
Image Credit: Robert Hyatt, NOAA’s National Weather Service
WildFire Danger
As of Aug. 21, 2025, more than 3,997,080 acres have burned in the U.S. this year, in 44,470 fires showing an increase in human habitat threatened by wildfire.
Image Credit: Robert Hyatt, NOAA’s National Weather Service
Teamwork
IMET Terry Lebo creates a forecast while working with a fire behavior analyst to support the containment of the McKinney Fire in California. (August 26, 2022).
Image Credit: Robert Hyatt, NOAA’s National Weather Service
Aircraft Monitoring
Aircraft are essential for fighting wildfires. Helicopters carry large buckets of water to douse hotspots, while air tankers release water or retardant over the fire’s edge, all while other planes monitor the wildfire’s spread.
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