Wildfire crews are getting sick, dying and aren’t provided masks on the job, reporting finds episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 20, 2025 · 21 MIN

Wildfire crews are getting sick, dying and aren’t provided masks on the job, reporting finds

from Think Out Loud

Wildfire crews do important work managing wildfires, but that work is often done without masks. A recent New York Times investigation found many wildfire fighters are getting cancer, cardiovascular diseases and have died because of the toxic smoke they inhaled while on the job. Researchers at the U.S. The Forest Service have recommended wildfire crews be required to wear masks for decades, but the agency has refused. Hannah Dreier is an investigative reporter for the times and joins us to share the details on why the agency won’t allow wildfire crews to wear masks and what she heard from people first hand. 

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Wildfire crews are getting sick, dying and aren’t provided masks on the job, reporting finds

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