An initial report on the deaths of three wildland firefighters in late June sheds light on the extreme and dangerous conditions they faced. A profession on edgeLike Jones and many other firefighters, Duncan — now the president of the advocacy group Grassroots Wildland Firefighters — has been on edge about this fire season. The new Fire Service is under the Interior Department, while the Forest Service is part of the Department of Agriculture. A risky environmentFormer Forest Service fire scientist Dave Calkin calls the circumstances of the late June tragedy very concerning. Jones said the public also has a role to play in keeping firefighters safe this extreme season, and seasons to come.