Press Release  Governor Healey Sends Third Crew of Wildland Firefighters to Help Battle Minnesota Fires

CARLISLE — Governor Maura Healey today announced that Massachusetts is sending a third crew of specially trained wildland firefighters to northern Minnesota to help fight ongoing fires in the region. 

The 15-person team includes firefighters from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife). Massachusetts has already deployed two crews, to assist with the fires in Minnesota, and several firefighters from the first crew are volunteering to return for a second deployment.

“ “I’m incredibly proud of our Massachusetts firefighters, including several who are volunteering to head back to Minnesota for a second time,” said Governor Maura Healey. “They are leaving their families and putting themselves in harm’s way to help communities that need them. We’re grateful for their service and wish them a safe deployment.” 

Five large wildfires continue to burn across the Boundary Waters region of northern Minnesota, including the Bear Trap Fire, which extends into Ontario, Canada. Together, the July Lighting Fires span more than 65,000 acres and have drawn more than 750 personnel as part of a coordinated response. 

The Massachusetts team includes 11-person wildland suppression crew and a four-person engine team, all of who meet federal wildland firefighting standards. During the approximately 14-day deployment, the crew may build fire breaks, secure fire perimeters, contain fires and protect structures. All members have completed federal wildland firefighting training and passed required physical fitness testing.

“Massachusetts’ firefighters are again lending support to our partners in other states,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Drought and dry conditions are worsening fire risk across the country. Some areas are in need of more capacity as they combat wildfires at a much bigger scale. These trends speak to how climate change puts strain on our first responders. We stand with them and are ready to send our support to communities in need.”

“Our Massachusetts wildland firefighters provide the necessary skills and experience to help our neighbors with longer and more intense fire seasons,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “I am so proud of our crews that continue to leave their homes and families to help others facing extreme wildfire events, some even volunteering for second deployments after having returned just weeks ago. Our teams possess extraordinary skill, professionalism, and commitment that they can share with fellow firefighters from around the country and bring home more knowledge to help address fires in Massachusetts.”

“DCR and MassWildlife have stepped up to contribute their hard-earned skills to this important cause,” said DFG Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “Wildfire seasons are intensifying across North America as storms ignite drier forests. These deployments are critical to protect our forests, biodiversity, and adjacent communities.”

Massachusetts deploys firefighting resources through agreements with the U.S. Forest Service and the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission. The state or province requesting assistance covers the costs of the deployment, including salaries, transportation, lodging and food.

Since 1985, DCR’s Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry, in partnership with U.S. Forest Service and the Northeast Forest Fire Protection Commission, has been sending crews to fight fires across North America. In recent years Massachusetts firefighting personnel have been deployed to multiple wildfires, including fires in Montana, Idaho, California, Oregon, Arizona, as well as Canada. Last year, DCR and DFG sent a 20-person crew to Fairbanks, Alaska,, for a two-week deployment. In each case, Massachusetts firefighters are able to apply the unique skills they have learned in service at home and acquire new techniques and expertise they can bring back to address future fires. 

In the fall of 2025, Chief Fire Warden Dave Celino and the DCR wildland firefighters received the Fire Marshall’s award at the 36th annual  Firefighter of the Year awards in recognition of the experience, expertise and firefighting resources they contributed to state’s efforts to combat the historic fires that burned 4,000 acres across Massachusetts during the 2024 wildfire season. 

The responding Massachusetts firefighters are: 

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