Few Women Fight Wildfires. That’s Not Because They’re Afraid of Flames.
Washington Post (November 20, 2016)

Women who fight wildfires for the federal government describe their work as isolating and lonely — and scary in a way that has nothing to do with fire. In a male-dominated, hypermasculine discipline that operates like the military, they face discrimination, sexual harassment and verbal abuse.

Nearly 45 years ago, women sued for better access to firefighting jobs. Under court order, the Forest Service’s operation increased female recruitment in a region that includes California, where bias against women is some of the worst in the nation, civil rights advocates say.

But when the order expired 10 years ago, the number of women sharply fell because, critics say, the service failed to adequately address a chauvinist culture.back on purpose because of bias. It makes it really hard for women to function well.”