DNR sends 17 Michigan Firefighters to Help Battle Blazes in 5 Western States

By Vanessa Torres

Michigan -(Ammoland.com)-The Department of Natural Resources has sent 17 Michigan firefighters to help battle wildfires in California, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon.

The firefighters serve in various capacities as part of incident management teams, including fire-line management, public information responsibilities, and heavy equipment bosses and operators.

Seven of the 17 firefighters are from Upper Peninsula DNR offices, while the remaining 10 are from offices in lower Michigan. Six of these employees are manning two fire engines, which were sent from Michigan to Montana Tuesday.

“Cooperative efforts are key to protecting people, property and resources statewide as well as nationally,” said Paul Kollmeyer, DNR resource protection section manager. “We are proud that our firefighters have the necessary skills to assist with emergency situations in other states.”

Kollmeyer said that while DNR firefighters are providing assistance out west, Michigan remains staffed in the event an incident should start here at home.

Because of Michigan’s national cooperative agreement, the DNR received fire-suppression assistance from other states, federal agencies and the Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact during critical incidents.

Last month, the Wisconsin Department of …read more

Source:: AmmoLand