Medford, Ore. — Fires continue to burn across the region and today’s near record breaking temperatures made the jobs of the firefighters battling those blazes even harder.
Fire officials said the lower humidity causes wildfires to spread more quickly, and the high temperatures cause firefighters to get tired sooner.
“The job we do is very strenuous just like an athlete,” Medford Fire & Rescue Captain Brian Farber said. “And with that extra gear and equipment we carry we just need to monitor our hydration.”
Fire officials said structural firefighters are more at risk for heat related illnesses because all their gear causes their core temperature to rise even before they get to the scene.
With almost triple digit heat fire officials said it’s even more important firefighters drink four to six liters of water a day to stay hydrated.
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