"In San Jose, Calif., just under 10 percent of the city’s firefighters, some of whom also help battle the state’s wildfires, this week found themselves either infected with the coronavirus or in quarantine.

And firefighters across the country, in states including Georgia, Indiana and Washington, are under quarantine amid the coronavirus crisis.

Much of the Western United States remains under drought conditions as fire season, which typically ramps up in mid-May and lasts through November, approaches. Arizona and New Mexico have had rain, but parts of California have already seen an increase in reported fires, according to The California Department of Fire. The state has received roughly half the amount of snow and rainfall that is normal for this time of year."

Kendra Pierre-Louis reports for the New York Times March 20, 2020. [2]