(LEFT) IMETs communicate with members of the incident command team at Rum Creek Fire in Oregon on August 28, 2022. Fire camp is a busy place. There’s very little time to do much besides work, eat and sleep at a fire camp. (RIGHT) Because the weather never stops, fire crews rely on accurate and timely forecast updates. If the wind shifts or thunderstorms are nearing a wildfire, IMETs and others can communicate forecast updates to fire crews. Radio communication is crucial to firefighters in the field as well as all aspects of incident command. Shown here are crews lining up for a portable radio at the Rum Creek Fire on August 28, 2022. (Robert Hyatt, NOAA’s National Weather Service)
(LEFT) IMETs communicate with members of the incident command team at Rum Creek Fire in Oregon on August 28, 2022. Fire camp is a busy place. There’s very little time to do much besides work, eat and sleep at a fire camp. (RIGHT) Because the weather never stops, fire crews rely on accurate and timely forecast updates. If the wind shifts or thunderstorms are nearing a wildfire, IMETs and others can communicate forecast updates to fire crews. Radio communication is crucial to firefighters in the field as well as all aspects of incident command. Shown here are crews lining up for a portable radio at the Rum Creek Fire on August 28, 2022. (Robert Hyatt, NOAA’s National Weather Service)