Canadian firefighters battle blaze, cope with hazards
The massive wildfire that has forced the evacuation of 90,000 Canadians and burned an area about the size of Houston has taken a toll on the region’s firefighters.
The 160 firefighters of Fort McMurray – the city first affected by the blaze – worked as many as 24 hours straight in the early days of the disaster, according to news reports. They also suffered smoke inhalation and injuries. Adding to their misery: some of their own homes burned in a decision to sacrifice some hopelessly engulfed neighborhoods in order to save other residential sections. In addition to city streets, firefighters have had to navigate rugged terrain.