GLASGOW, Va. (WSET) — This Thanksgiving, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Southern Area Incident Management Red Team are full of gratitude.
"Thank you to the community and the co-operators that we've been here working with and supporting but most of all we want to thank our friends and family and loved ones that are holding the fort down back at home," firefighters said.
For almost two weeks the Matts Creek wildfire has burned over 11-thousand acres of the Jefferson National Forest.
The U.S. Forest Service said 352 firefighters from all over the country came to put out the blaze instead of being at home with family.
"I live in Silicone Valley, California," said Nick Arnett.
RELATED: Matts Creek Wildfire now 84% contained following Tuesday's drenching rains
"I am here currently from Savannah Georgia," said Rachel Pearson
" I live here in Lexington," said Plinio Beres.
"I'm from California, I'm originally from San Diego," said Alexandria Bender.
Everyone sat down for a Thanksgiving meal provided by Feed the Need Foundation.
Arnett has been a first responder since 1975. He said he picked the Southern Area Red Team because of the family bond they have.
RELATED: Matts Creek Fire almost all contained and Glasgow folks are grateful
"I met this team when I was a trainee for this position. We just clicked, I saw that they're good people," said Arnett.
Pearson works in financing for the red team. She says she misses her own family but loves the relationships she's created with this team.
"As hard as it is to be away from my blood family on the holidays, these people are a family. You hear it all the time; it sounds so cliche with fire but we really are a family," Pearson said.
Many of these crews work 16-hour days.
"It's important to recognize those special days to acknowledge it and give people some time to just spend with each other and not necessarily have to be 100% engaged on the fire line," said Beres.
The southern incident team says now that the fire containment is up many firefighters will be heading home in the next few days.
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November 24, 2023 at 09:28PM
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Firefighters working the Matts Creek wildfire gather for Thanksgiving - WSET
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