New York Wildland Firefighters Return Safely After Assisting in Western States

Strategic Insights -

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the safe return of 13 wildland firefighters led by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers after a two-week assignment in Colorado, Utah, and Washington. The crew's efforts helped contain wildfires, with significant progress made in Colorado and Utah, where fires were more than half contained and 95% contained, respectively. The firefighters also assisted with firefighting efforts on the San Juan National Forest in Colorado, where they worked at elevations of 7,000 to 9,000 feet.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 13 wildland firefighters were led by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers and assisted with firefighting efforts in Colorado, Utah, and Washington.
  • The crew in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, worked at elevations of 7,000 to 9,000 feet and were among the first firefighters on scene for multiple fires caused by lightning strikes.
  • The South Rim fire in Colorado burned over 4,200 acres and is more than half contained.
  • The Deer Creek fire in Moab, Utah, jumped from nearly 16,000 acres to more than 17,700 acres in the past two weeks but is now 95% contained.
  • The fire in Washington did not grow significantly in the last two weeks and remains under 3,500 acres.
  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton stated that the DEC deployed a Crew Boss, Safety Officer, Heavy Equipment Boss, and Food Unit Leader to support the wildland fire response efforts.
  • Returning crew members included Forest Rangers from various locations in New York, with some having over 20 years of experience in firefighting.
  • New York has a long history of assisting western states with wildfires, with the first crew sent in 1979.
  • On average, one or two crews are deployed annually as needed to assist with wildfires.

Statistics:

  • 13 New York wildland firefighters returned safely after a two-week assignment in Colorado, Utah, and Washington.
  • 4,200 acres burned in the South Rim fire in Colorado, which is over half contained.
  • 17,700 acres burned in the Deer Creek fire in Moab, Utah, which is 95% contained.
  • 3,500 acres remain under the fire in Washington.
  • Since 1979, New York has sent one or two crews annually to assist with wildfires as needed.
  • All personnel and travel expenses for the New York crews are paid directly by the U.S. Forest Service or reimbursed to New York State based on a mutual aid agreement between states and federal land agencies.

Sources:

  • Governor's Office, State of New York:

* DEC Firefighters Assisted Efforts to Contain Wildfires in Colorado, Utah, and Washington

  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation:

* Commissioner Amanda Lefton's statement on wildland fire response efforts