You've probably seen or heard tales on the news about the heroics of forest firefighters as they battle and conquer raging infernos. It's like you're always playing a chess game, trying to figure out the next move and counter it. Since the risk of death or injury is very real, there is no room for errors.
Forest firefighters work to control and put out wildland fires.
They work in remote and often inaccessible parts of the country. They use heavy equipment such as hand tools, chainsaws, pumps and hoses. The terrain and the weather affect how a fire is fought. Along with physical fitness, team cooperation and a courageous personality, forest firefighters need to use mathematics in order to get the job done quickly, safely and effectively. Forest firefighters must be able to push their equipment to the absolute maximum.