"Were usually up close against the fire, were cutting line, throwing dirt, managing helicopters, its very hot.

Oscar Montijo has been fighting fires like the one in George Washington National Forest for more than 20 years now.

He knows what these guys are up against.

"Really steep, there is usually a lot of critters out there. Usually were on the most active parts of the fire."

Cindy Frenzel, with the Forest Service keeps track of where firefighters are, and the latest on how they're doing.

She says, it's not an easy lifestyle.

"I think it's hard because they're away extended periods of time, but it's a job that they absolutely love. They will travel when they're needed, on call, or when there is a forest fire."

Not only are they thrown into dangerous situations, but they're fighting off severe heat like we've been dealing with. Over half of the year they are on the road which means they have to leave their families behind.

"For some of the younger fire fighters, they're not used to working in the heat and long hours, being away from their mom and dad or their significant ones, it can probably be very emotional for them."

And physically challenging too. Montijo says, the most common injuries are slips, trips and falls.

"Weather your going up hill or down hill it's hard to do. They're going in there and coming out when it's getting dark. So, once they have their head lamps on there head, it's hard to see those rocks coming up under your boot."

He says if you've been in the business long enough, work starts to come home with you.

'I have a wife who came from the forest service and knows what we do, so at home we manage it just like if I would be managing my crew, we're prepared for anything."