Thank-you wildland firefighters and first responders

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I am here to offer my special thanks to wildland firefighters and other first responders including those in Military reserve units called up to help out during emergencies.

For many, but not all, in the United States November 25 is a Thanksgiving holiday, a day off to spend with family and/or friends. Some may volunteer serving meals to those who have no place go or without funds for a special meal. For some it will be a one day holiday, for others a four day holiday. At this time of year, I try to remember and acknowledge that for many, Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays into the early part of the New Year are stressful times. 

Many people in the United States work all or most of this coming weekend: healthcare workers, workers in long-term care facilities, retail, local first responders, the Weather Forecast Offices and other offices of the National Weather Service, those on active service in the military, transportation workers, utility workers, call center workers, maintenance workers, those working in someone else’s house, and I am probably leaving some out. Some of you may be working by choice. Thanks to all of you for doing these jobs, perhaps sacrificing a day or two of your family time and/or days to relax 

I pause and give thanks to all the wildland firefighters — on the ground, in the air, ground crews and other support staff, military reserve units— for your hard work this year in what has been a long and difficult fire season in many areas in the western United States and Canada. Some of you are working fires this weekend, or for those of you in Canada you worked on your Thanksgiving holiday. Please accept my hopefully humble post of thanks to all of you for doing your best to keep us safe during this wildfire season. You have sacrificed time with your family and friends to fight wildfires, thanks for your hard work and dedication. A special shout out to any of you, along with any local first responders, who are currently working wildfires in the United States. 

I want to close with showing my gratitude to all first responders and military reserve units who responded to local, state, and national emergencies during the last year, and a special shout out to those of you who might be working or on call this coming weekend. You work to try to take care of us the best you can after a disaster or other emergency.