Ohio crews called for Oregon wildfire assistance
The fire crew is planning on a wildfire scene. Photo from ODNR Division of Forestry.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A 20-person Ohio wildfire crew from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) left Friday, July 20, 2018 to travel to Redmond, Oregon. They were then assigned to the Timber Crater 6 fire at Crater Lake National Park.
Additionally, an ODNR Division of Forestry wildfire crew consisting of three people left on July 20 to relieve a crew who had been working with the department’s off-road wildland fire engine to assist wildfire suppression efforts in Texas. An ODNR Division of Forestry wildfire crew consisting of two people and a bulldozer is also assisting in Texas. In addition, the 20-person Ohio wildfire crew who had been assigned to the Dollar Ridge Fire in northeastern Utah for the past two weeks returned home on Tuesday, July 24.
The ODNR Division of Forestry has also provided a single resource this week to serve as a support dispatcher at the Lake Christine fire near Grand Junction, Colorado.
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 prescribed fire for forest regeneration; 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. Last year, Ohio’s wildfire and engine crews responded to wildfire assignments in California, Georgia, Arizona, New Mexico and Montana.
The ODNR Division of Forestry also coordinates agreements and wildfire training, prevention, suppression and enforcement with 325 fire departments in the southern and eastern parts 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.
