Florida Forest Service Deploys Firefighters, Resources to Help Battle Western Wildfires

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Forest Service is deploying a 20-person Type 2 initial attack hand crew to help suppress the Salt Fire that is burning on the Shasta Trinity National Forest in California. The 5,000-acre wildfire began on June 30.

“Our wildland firefighters are well-trained and ready to support our western counterparts with suppression efforts,” said Erin Albury, State Forester and Director. “I appreciate their selfless dedication and willingness to help protect residents, homes and natural resources.”

In addition to the 20-person hand crew headed to California, the Florida Forest Service currently has 22 single resources deployed to Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana and Nevada to assist with suppression efforts on numerous wildfires.

“With the reduced threat of wildfires across Florida, providing resources for the increasing wildfire activity in the western US is critical,” said John Raulerson, Chief of Forest Protection. “Additionally, we have one of our Type 1 Incident Management Teams on standby, ready to respond to the potential impacts of Hurricane Elsa.”

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres.

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