Private contractors operating crawler dozers have been helping manage the current spate of wildfires in California, reports the Wall Street Journal (link requires registration).
The private sector has long helped the state battle these fires, but age and attrition is putting a drain on the resource. Quoting operators in their late-50s and 60s, the report highlights a growing need as the state uses heavy equipment to cut barriers to advancing flames.
The paper reports that more than 300 dozers were deployed last month. Further, in specific fires, half to 90 percent of the dozers were privately owned. Plus, many of the machines are older versions, lacking enclosed cabs.
Source: Wall Street Journal
