The America's National Parks Podcast is sponsored by L. L. L. Bine believes the more time you spend outside together, the better.

That's why they design products that make it easier to take longer walks, have deeper talks,

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Discover clothing, outerware, footwear, and gear made for every type of adventure with the outside built right in.

Because on the inside we are all outsiders.

Be an outsider with L.L. Beam. July 31st of each year is set aside by the International Ranger Foundation as World Ranger Day to honor

Park Rangers around the globe who are on the front line in the fight to protect our natural

heritage.

It's also an opportunity to pay tribute

to Rangers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. To honor this past Tuesday's World Ranger Day, on this episode of America's National Parks,

we're going to highlight three stories of National Park Service Rangers who have gone

above and beyond the call of duty. Fighting forest fires is one of the most dangerous occupations there are.

With the wildfires currently raging across the country,

we begin with the story of a wildland firefighter whose tragedy led to massive changes in wildfire fighting protocol.

Here's Abigail Trebue. You're going to. Andrew Palmer was six foot five and two hundred and forty pounds with a winning

smile. He was hired to be a firefighter by Olympic National Park just four days after he graduated

high school at age 18, 10 years ago this June. Twelve days later he completed his basic training and was assigned to an engine crew.

On July 22nd, less than a month after he had joined the National Park Service,

Andy's eager foreperson team was dispatched to assist in fighting the Eagle Fire that was

raging in Northern California's Shasta Trinity National Forest.

The team headed out at 9 p.m. and after four hours of driving they stopped at a motel to catch some sleep.

Six hours later they were back on the road.

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