The Hidden Victims of America’s Wildfires

As wildfire seasons grow longer and deadlier, states are increasingly relying on private companies to provide thousands of firefighters to the front lines.

Hannah Dreier, who has been covering the story, explains how lax rules and regulatory loopholes have left many of these firefighters sick, in debt and on their own.

Guest: Hannah Dreier, a New York Times reporter who writes in-depth stories about national issues.

Background reading: 

• Wildfire fighters, unmasked in toxic smoke, are getting sick and dying.
• Read the story about Joel Eisiminger. Just before turning 25, he was diagnosed with a cancer that usually strikes people more than twice his age.

Photo: Loren Elliott for The New York Times

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

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