Governor Hochul Deploys New York State Firefighting Crew to Help Battle Wildland Fires in Minnesota

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that a crew of 20 wildland firefighters from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is traveling to Minnesota where they will be assigned to assist firefighting efforts underway in Greenwood. Governor Hochul also welcomed home DEC Forest Ranger Robbi Mecus at the end of a two-week assignment fighting the Dixie Fire in California. Earlier this month, DEC Forest Ranger Michael Burkholder returned from battling the Alder Creek and Trail Creek fires in Montana. In July, DEC Forest Ranger Timothy Carpenter returned home after helping battle the Bootleg Fire in Oregon.

"Thousands of people are losing their homes and businesses to devastating and record-breaking wildfires, and I am thankful that we can offer help to those in need, just like the countless times our sister states have helped us when disaster strikes," Governor Hochul said. "Today, I welcome back Ranger Mecus and thank her for her service fighting fires in California. I'm proud of her and all of the brave firefighters who volunteered to travel to the front lines of these wildland fires to protect communities from harm and I join all New Yorkers in praying for their safe return."

All personnel and travel expenses for the New York crews are either paid directly by the U.S. Forest Service or reimbursed to New York State based on a mutual aid agreement between states and federal land agencies.

Ranger Mecus, from Essex County, began her assignment on Aug. 12, when she joined thousands of federal, state, and local fire crews battling the Dixie Fire in California. Ranger Mecus is certified as a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Plans Section Chief 2, trainee. In the U.S., only a handful of wildland firefighters have achieved this expert level of certification.

The Dixie Fire started on July 13, and is burning the Plumas National Forest, Lassen National Forest, and Lassen Volcanic National Park. To date, this fire has burned an estimated 735,000 acres in four counties and is currently about 45 percent contained. The Dixie Fire is the second-largest wildfire in California history, second only to the August Complex Fire, which burned more than a million acres last year.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "Whether DEC firefighters are supervising a team behind the scenes, setting up a command organization, or working on the fire line, these New Yorkers are among the very best wildland firefighters in the country. Their dedication and willingness to help those in need never ceases to impress me. DEC's expert wildland firefighters are ready no matter where they're needed and I thank them for their service."

The latest crew of New York State firefighters headed to Greenwood will be deployed for two weeks on the fire line. The crew is made up of DEC Divisions of Forest Protection, Lands and Forests, Fish and Wildlife, Operations, and Environmental Remediation staff. The Greenwood fire started on Aug. 15, near Greenwood Lake, and is believed to have been caused by lightning. Evacuations are in effect for approximately 75 homes in the area and to date, the fire has burned nearly 22,000 acres.

Wildland fires in western states are not only devastating to the western U.S., they are also impacting New York's air quality. On July 20, the entire state of New York was under an Air Quality Health Advisory due to fine particulate matter caused by fires in Canada and the western U.S. Air Quality Health Advisories are issued when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter, are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. Exposure to fine particulate matter can cause short-term health effects such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. New York State will continue to issue advisories whenever conditions warrant to help protect public health.

In 1979, New York sent its first firefighting crew to assist western states with large wildfires. On average, one or two crews have been sent as needed to assist with wildfires every year since. In addition to helping contain wildfires and minimize damage, these crews gain valuable experience that can be utilized fighting wildfires and managing all-risk incidents in New York.