Glide, Ore. – With the Cable Crossing Fire completely lined, firefighters are turning their attention to mop up operations and completing the last of the burnout operations.
Mop is up a methodical process to completely extinguish a wildfire. Fire crews put water on the fire, fall snags, dig out smoldering stumps, and move logs so they won’t roll downhill. Mop up is like putting your camp fire dead out, only on a monumental scale.
Mop up operations present new hazards for firefighters. Fire crews entering burned stands can face hot spots, falling snags and stump holes. Operations Section Chief Matt Howard encouraged the fire crews to remain vigilant as, “this fire has yet to be tested.”
Just as firefighter face risks, so do community residents. Wildfires put up a lot of smoke which can negatively impact health. Specifically, fine particles can irritate eyes and lungs and lead to illnesses such as bronchitis. Older adults, children and those with respiratory illnesses are more likely to be affected by smoke.
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