BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Forest Service has deployed a 20-person wildland fire crew to the western United States to help combat ongoing wildfires, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced this week.
The crew, comprised of firefighters from the Forest Service, Park Service, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Maryland Conservation Corps, and the Maryland Fire Service, left Green Ridge State Forest on Wednesday evening. They are traveling to the Rocky Mountain Geographic Area, which is currently the nation’s highest priority for wildfire response.
The Rocky Mountain Geographic Area is grappling with 12 large fires that have burned more than 185,000 acres. Upon their arrival in Colorado, the Maryland crew will receive an assignment, which could involve assisting with existing large fires or being deployed for the initial attack on new ones.
The firefighters are expected to spend a couple of days traveling to the area before beginning their 14-day assignment. All costs associated with the deployment are reimbursed to the state through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
Maryland has a history of assisting with national wildfire efforts, mobilizing trained crews and personnel to various states as part of a long-standing agreement.
Photo via Maryland DNR
