Sidelined By Smoke-Damaged Lungs, Career Wildland Firefighter Now Reports Fires

For nearly two decades, Darren Clifford fought wildland fires on the front lines, enveloped by smoke, heat and flames as he used shovels to build fire lines.

He loved his job and adrenaline he got from fighting the dangerous and unpredictable blazes — and the knowledge that he was helping those in the path of the flames. He was protecting homes, livelihoods and lives.

“It's not a job that is for everyone,” Clifford told Cowboy State Daily. “I'm a big outdoors person and love being in nature and being able to help protect our landscape and people's livelihoods.”

However, his career fighting these fires has come to an end after years of battling wildfires fought back.

Now 42 and living in Lander, Wyoming, Clifford needs a lung transplant.

He has COPD and was medically discharged from th