Plymouth Man Helps Fight Forest Fires in Pacific Northwest

Aaron Whiddon of Plymouth was one of 20 firefighters sent by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to the Pacific Northwest to help battle raging forest fires on Saturday.

The fires have destoryed nearly 900,000 acres in Oregon and Washington over the past two weeks.

The crew includes 14 DCR state firefighters and six municipal firefighters.

According to the DCR:

“The deployment is in response to a request DCR Commissioner Jack Murray received Thursday from the U.S. Forest Service and the Northeastern Interagency Coordination Center in Bolton Hill, Maine. The 20 DCR firefighters met up with four other crews from New Hampshire, New York, U.S Fish & Wildlife Service and the White Mountain National Forest. They departed from Manchester Airport Saturday morning.

“On this assignment, the crews from all three states and two federal agencies were assigned to the Chiwaukum Complex, a complex of three fires totaling 12,320 acres located just outside of Leavenworth, Washington. The crew, which is also referred to as a ‘Type 2 initial attack hand crew, will engage in direct fire suppression, working on the fire line up to 14 days – building fire breaks, securing fire perimeters, containing fires, and protecting structures.”

“We are extremely proud of the DCR and municipal firefighters who have been called upon to help our friends and partners in Washington,” said Commissioner Murray. “These are extremely well-trained and dedicated firefighters whose skills are much needed, and whose help, we know, is enormously appreciated.”