Fighting the Flames

It’s August, and Chris Haas dangles from a rope below a helicopter. Down on the ground, two firefighters wait to be rescued in the dark smoke. They have been fighting a wildfire in Point Reyes National Seashore in California. But now they’re trapped in the fire’s path.

Luckily, Haas spots the lights on the firefighters’ helmets. The helicopter pilot, Paul Bradley, lowers Haas to the ground.

It’s August in California. Chris Haas dangles from a rope below a helicopter. Two firefighters are down on the ground. They’re waiting to be rescued in the dark smoke. They have been fighting a wildfire in Point Reyes National Seashore. But now they’re trapped in the fire’s path.

Luckily, Haas spots the lights on the firefighters’ helmets. The helicopter pilot is Paul Bradley. He lowers Haas to the ground.

But there’s little time to spare. The fire is close—about the length of a football field away. Haas quickly helps the firefighters clip onto his rope. Bradley lifts all three of them to safety.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have butterflies,” Haas recalls. “I just kept telling myself to relax and do my job.”

But there’s little time to spare. The fire is close. It’s about the length of a football field away. Haas quickly helps the firefighters clip on to his rope. Bradley lifts all three of them to safety.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have butterflies,” Haas recalls. “I just kept telling myself to relax and do my job.”

Wildfires often start deep in wilderness areas. But strong winds can cause them to spread quickly and put nearby homes in danger. It can take weeks to get the biggest fires under control.

When a wildfire starts, aerial teams are often the first to arrive. Crews in spotter planes gather information about the blaze. They work with firefighters on the ground to figure out the best way to contain it. Spotters also guide special planes that drop chemicals to slow the fire’s spread.

Wildfires often start in wilderness areas. Strong winds can cause them to spread quickly. That can put nearby homes in danger. It can take weeks to get the biggest fires under control.

When a wildfire starts, aerial teams are often the first to arrive. Crews in spotter planes gather information about the blaze. They work with firefighters on the ground. Together, they figure out the best way to contain it. Spotters also guide special planes that drop chemicals to slow the fire’s spread.

Meanwhile, helicopters carry firefighters to the edges of the blaze to attack it from the ground. Firefighting helicopters also make water drops along escape routes. This helps protect people fleeing the flames.

When fast-spreading fires make an escape impossible, helicopter teams are often called to the rescue.

On September 5, more than 200 campers were trapped near a lake in California. Fire blocked the only road out of the campground. Two helicopters battled smoke and strong winds to get everyone out safely.

Experts say that this year’s wildfire season will be especially long. Haas knows he has to stay ready.

“The more we prepare for any situation we might face, the greater the chance we’ll be successful,” Haas says.

Meanwhile, helicopters carry firefighters to the edges of the blaze to attack it from the ground. Firefighting helicopters also make water drops along escape routes. This helps protect people fleeing the flames.

Fast-spreading fires make an escape impossible. That’s when helicopter teams are often called to the rescue.

On September 5, more than 200 campers were trapped near a lake in California. Fire blocked the only road out of the campground. Two helicopters battled smoke and strong winds to get everyone out safely.

Experts say that this year’s wildfire season will be especially long. Haas knows he has to stay ready.

“The more we prepare for any situation we might face, the greater the chance we’ll be successful,” Haas says.

1. What is the author’s purpose in the first four paragraphs?

2. What makes wildfires dangerous, based on the article?

3. Compare the ways that crews of spotter planes and crews of helicopters help during wildfires.

1. What is the author’s purpose in the first four paragraphs?

2. What makes wildfires dangerous, based on the article?

3. Compare the ways that crews of spotter planes and crews of helicopters help during wildfires.