Ohio crews responding to help fight western wildfires

ODNR 

A 20-person Ohio wildfire crew from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) left Friday morning to travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they will assist with fighting wildfires. Additionally, a wildfire crew consisting of three people and one wildfire engine left on Wednesday to travel to Phoenix, Arizona, where they will be dispatched from the Southwest Coordination Center to help fight wildfires in the region.

"Ohio’s wildfire control forces are again responding to assist other states, this time as needed in Arizona and New Mexico," said Robert Boyles, Ohio’s state forester. "Our crews and engine are well-trained and prepared to assist in protecting life, property and natural resources and to help extinguish the wildfires that are currently affecting Arizona and New Mexico."

The Ohio crews and engine will be among the local and national resources pre-positioned to provide initial attack response to potential fire starts.

The ODNR Division of Forestry trains ODNR, federal and private natural resource agencies, as well as fire department personnel from across the state, for inter-agency wildland fire detail and emergencies to protect life and property in Ohio; manage natural resources using prescribed fire; and to provide assistance to other states as part of the national effort.

Ohio crews and individual management personnel have assisted with hurricanes, floods and wildfire incidents since 1986. Crews and overhead staff are normally dispatched out-of-state for two-week assignments. Travel and wage costs are reimbursed by requesting agencies. This year, Ohio’s engine crew has already responded to a southern wildfire assignment in Georgia.

The ODNR Division of Forestry also coordinates agreements and wildfire training, prevention, suppression and enforcement with 322 fire departments in the southern and eastern part of the state and around Maumee State Forest in the state’s northwest corner.

The ODNR Division of Forestry works to promote the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands. To learn more about Ohio’s woodlands and the fire management program, visit forestry.ohiodnr.gov.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.