When you ask why so much info on this site about fires Here are some stats

The Number of Fires until August 17  2015 1,649,            10 year average  1,334

Hectares Burnt  until August 17th 2015       292,545         10 year average   86.454

As this is being written amateur radio operators are deployed and providing communications where needed.

There is no doubt that fire fighters and those involved in fighting the fires deserve our thanks, but there are also a huge number of volunteers behind the scenes that are working hard.  So to EVERYONE  here is a huge  THANK YOU

UPDATED AUGUST 19TH 1800 HRS

The danger of this work has just been demonstrated with the loss of fire fighters in Washington state

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Wildfire-forces-evacuation-of-Twisp-322342801.html?abc=TWc1ccFy