Out Of State Fire Crews

Each year thousands of wildfires destroy millions of acres of valuable timber and forest lands particularly in the western part of the United States. The DEC's Division of Forest Protection and Fire Management has a cooperative agreement with the USDA Forest Service to provide fire crews and trained individuals to assist in combating these when the need arises.

On many occasions in the past twenty years, crews of NYS Forest Rangers and volunteer firefighters have been sent west to provide such assistance. They often find themselves on the front line fighting side by side with seasoned western crews and crews from neighboring eastern states. The most noteworthy of these incidents occurred in 1988 when New York crews worked on the Yellowstone Complex of fires during the height of the conflagration.

To qualify for this type of duty, volunteers must be in excellent physical condition, have had previous experience in combating wildfires and have received formal training in wildfire fighting methods and techniques.

Once qualified, volunteers remain on the active roster for one year. To be considered for duty in subsequent years, re-qualification is required.

Contact the nearest DEC rangers for further details.