New Jersey Firefighters And Equipment Headed To Pacific Northwest

by Patricia A. Miller

New Jersey Forest Fire Service crews and equipment are on their way to help battle wildfires raging across parts of the Pacific Northwest, state Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin
said.

A total of 32 firefighters and three wildfire trucks, known as Type 4 engines - designed to pump water in remote fire areas - are driving to Oregon, Idaho, and Montana as part of a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service.

“Although these fires are more than 2,000 miles from New Jersey, we are all neighbors and feel a deep sense of responsibility in helping each other out,” Martin said. “We are proud to be sending our dedicated crews from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service to pitch in and help out fellow states under this cooperative agreement that has been in place since 1985.”

Twenty full-time and part-time employees of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service left several days ago. Three left on Thursday and three wildfire engines left on Friday, each with a three-person crew. All are driving to the fire scenes, he said.

“Our crews have extensive experience in fighting volatile forest fires, particularly in the fire-prone Pine Barrens,” said New Jersey State Fire Warden Bill Edwards. “Our crews are top-notch professionals and will provide invaluable support, helping to provide some relief to firefighters who have been working around the clock to control these wildfires.”

The U.S. Forest Service provided resources to New Jersey in the past to assist in clearing downed trees resulting from major storms, most recently when Superstorm Sandy knocked down countless trees in October 2012.

“We really appreciate the opportunity to send our crews to help out our fellow firefighters who have been on the front lines of these massive fires for many weeks,” said Edwards. “These types of mutual assistance agreements are critical for helping to mass needed resources where they are most needed during major disasters.”

The U.S. Forest Service will reimburse the state for all costs associated with crew deployments, Martin said.

The following Section Wardens were dispatched to lead the New Jersey crews:

* Section Warden Chris Franek, Task Force leader, Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon
* Section Warden George Efinger, Task Force Leader Trainee, Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon
* Section Warden Scott Knauer, Task Force Leader, Bendire Fire Complex, Vale, Oregon
* District Warden, Jim Parker, Safety Officer, Lawyer 2 Fire, Kamiah, Idaho
* Deputy Warden Kevin Curry, Computer Specialist, Fisher Fire, Craigmont, Idaho

Fire crews are traveling to a staging area in Missoula, Montana for assignment. The Type 4 engines are being sent to the National Creek Complex fire in the Rouge-Siskiyou National Forest in Oregon. All assignments will last two weeks.

Photo credit: New Jersey Forest Fire Service.