More than 150 Minnesota-based wildland firefighters have been busy fighting massive wildfires in western states in recent weeks.
The Minnesota Interagency Fire Center in Grand Rapids reports that 159 Minnesotans from the state Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been among the 32,000 wildland firefighters battling the nation’s biggest blazes in recent weeks, most in western states.
The wildland firefighters are employees of state and federal agencies in Minnesota who have regular jobs here but who also are trained to fight fires. They are part of a national network that moves firefighters to the most critical areas as needed, assigned to 14-day tours of duty.
“They keep going, keep a level head and support each other. Some (Minnesotans) are out on their second or third 14-day detail out west,” Tony Harding, an assistant fire management officer on the Superior National Forest, said.
While Minnesota agencies have been wary of letting too many firefighters head west due to very dry conditions — and increased fire danger — in Minnesota’s Arrowhead, agency heads here determined it was safe to loan some out.
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Minnesota also has loaned three firefighting aircraft and 12 wildland fire engines to western state fires.
"We are currently experiencing unprecedented wildfire conditions throughout the west. Firefighters across the country, including those in … Minnesota have mobilized to help in the effort," Connie Cummins, Duluth-based supervisor of the Superior National Forest, said.
As of last week, the Superior and Chippewa national forests assigned approximately 15% of their total workforce (56 and 14 employees, respectively) to support fire efforts in the states of California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon and Utah.
The state DNR also sent 51 employees to support the efforts out west. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and tribal partners, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service provided large portions of their Minnesota workforce with a total of 38 employees.
