When tragedy strikes, America's wildland firefighters ask, was it 'somebody that we loved?'

Deaths and close calls while fighting wildfires have strained an already on-edge workforce. They've also raised questions about policies and priorities amid an intense wildfire season.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1986x1324+0+0/resize/1986x1324!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc9%2F58%2Fa372ae8a4cd6927850f918b18a0a%2Fap26180728088005.jpg' alt='A captain with the Clifton Fire Protection District salutes the passing procession carrying the bodies of three firefighters killed while fighting the Snyder Fire in Grand Junction, Colo., on June 28.'/><p>Deaths and close calls while fighting wildfires have strained an already on-edge workforce. They've also raised questions about policies and priorities amid an intense wildfire season.</p><p>(Image credit: Gretel Daugherty via AP)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-5920418' />