The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has sent more firefighters to aid wildfire battles around the country.
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During the last week, as the pace of activity has increased significantly because of dry weather and drought conditions, the Wisconsin DNR now has 30 staff members assigned to fires in California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. They’ll serve in areas including fire-line management and public information.
This week a strike team of 17 Wisconsin firefighters and five fire engines was mobilized to western Montana.
Seven of the Michigan firefighters assisting are from DNR offices in the Upper Peninsula, and the remaining are from lower Michigan.
“DNR is proud to be able to provide staff and expertise to cooperative fire suppression efforts now underway in the western U.S.”, said Trent Marty, DNR forest protection bureau director.
“If people want to help, we’d like them to contact our coordinators so we can work on getting them safely and appropriately involved”, Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark said.
For the first time in state history, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is setting up temporary community resource coordination centers for those wishing to commit time or equipment to fighting the current storm of wildfires.
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Kollmeyer said Michigan remains properly staffed should a wildfire start in the state.
