firefighters

The Hill argues that ending the US forest roadless rule could help combat wildfires and improve wildlife access. Supporters say allowing road construction in protected national forests would give firefighters better access to blazes and let land managers thin overgrown forests. Critics have long warned that building roads in roadless areas raises fire risk, degrades habitat, and opens public lands to logging and development.

A wildfire on Čvrsnica mountain in Bosnia and Herzegovina has still not been fully brought under control. Firefighters are continuing to tackle accessible hotspots, but the difficult, inaccessible terrain is hampering their efforts and the fire remains a threat. Crews are working tirelessly to contain the blaze.

Iowa State University researchers are working on ways to reduce firefighters' elevated risk of cancer, which has been linked to exposure to toxic chemicals and smoke on the job. The Gazette reports on the effort, which comes as firefighting is increasingly recognised as a hazardous occupation with higher cancer rates than the general population.

Firefighters in northeast Oklahoma City responded to and extinguished a fire caused by a lightning strike. KOCO reported that crews put out the flames, with no details given about injuries or damage. The incident follows storm activity in the Oklahoma City area, and residents are sharing the news as severe weather moves through the region.

Firefighters in Illinois are taking part in jiu-jitsu training designed to help them defend themselves in the field. The program comes as emergency responders increasingly face aggressive or combative situations while on calls, and the techniques give crews practical ways to control confrontations without resorting to force. The initiative has drawn attention as an unusual but pragmatic safety measure for first responders.