By Scott Carlson-North Platte Post
As a person who has been known to lose battles with grill fires, the thought of getting anywhere near a wildfire is terrifying. But North Platte native Mark Hooper jumps right into them, literally.
After fighting wildfires as a wildland firefighter, Hooper joined a Hotshots crew earlier this year.
According to the US Forest Service, Hotshot crews were first established in Southern California in the late 1940s on the Cleveland and Angeles National Forests. They were called “Hotshot” crews because they worked on the hottest part of wildfires.
The U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, state and county agencies sponsor more than 100 Interagency Hotshots Crews, with most located in the western United States.
Hotshots are considered the special forces of firefighting.
Hooper and his crew were recently dispatched to a nasty wildfire in an unknown location in Nevada.
Hooper told The Post he and his crew were flown by helicopter to a fire in Nevada and have been sleeping near the fire line, moving as they progress in the battle.
The Post will talk with Hooper about his experiences on an upcoming podcast episode.
In the meantime, send him and his crew thoughts, prayers, good vibes, or whatever else may provide them with safety.
Hooper attended Maxwell Public Schools and is also a renowned local Mixed Martial Arts fighter.