Calling the Hot Shots lazy was a John Kerry moment sure to be suicidal in a place like Montana !
Tha "Hot Shots" are like the USMC of firefighting, they take the most risk of death,they sometimes travel constantly for weeks or months on one deployment after the other, cut and walk around 1,000 miles of fireline a season, often living off the food and water on their backs for days, and sleeping in their boots, sometimes only a few hours when the fire lays down, all for near minimum wage.
I was a SBNF Vista Grande Hot Shot for a season in the station near where the 5 USFS firefighters just died a few weeks ago at Poppet Flats. Poppet Flats was where my first fire attack was. I know firsthand how much the residents in the forest apreciated our service. They know we would seriously risk our lives to save their house with just a shovel and dirt.
Many who live in the country have seen us at work and seen the soot covered men with melted hard hats and singed clothing who live just for the fight....
no wonder Mr Burns got punched