"As climate change drives worsening U.S. wildfires, federal firefighters say they are underpaid - and some are leaving".
"LOS ANGELES/WASHINGTON - More than 17 years of fighting wildfires for the U.S. Forest Service has taken a toll on Brian Campbell.
He's been homeless, once spending months sleeping in a van while fighting fires in the state of Idaho. He routinely is called to drive the engine he captains in Washington state across the country at a moment's notice to support local crews.
During fire season he spends long stints in the forest without seeing his wife and young children.
Yet his salary is barely enough to get by on - $50,000 a year. Although he loves the job, he's keeping his eyes open for other work."
Avi Asher-Schapiro and David Sherfinski report for Thomson Reuters Foundation July 14, 2021.
Advertisement 
