Sorcha,

When the rigs come in with food, showers, and such, that's called a "Project" fire--it is big enough, moving fast enough to rate the big response with the gear, contracted food service, etc. Prior to all of this arriving the local fire crews work much longer (16 to 24 hours) for the first day or two. By then the decision should have been made to call it a project fire and bring in outside help. And while you're in the local mode, the ready to eat meals (with various names--C-rations, Meals-Ready-to-Eat, etc.) were issued. Sometimes the district would buy packaged meals from restaurants in town (sandwiches, canned drinks, fruit, cookies, etc.) and you'd receive it in some oddball container like a sewn cloth bag. That was years ago--now they probably deliver them in something plastic. This all can vary according to what agency is involved (and in what decade the fire occured and how reliable the memory of the fire fighter!)

SRS