Press Release  Massachusetts Sends Crew of Wildland Firefighters to Help Battle Alaska Fires

BOSTON —  Today, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (DFG) sent a crew of state wildland firefighters to Fairbanks, Alaska, to assist in battling significant wildfires in the area. The 20-person crew includes 18 firefighters from DCR and two from DFG’s Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), all of whom are specially trained to help manage wildfires across the country. The Massachusetts crew is part of a New England contingent of three 20-person state crews, including Maine and Connecticut. 

Wildfires have started earlier than usual this year in the western U.S. and Canada, leading to a strain on firefighting resources. The combination of ongoing fires and difficult weather conditions has created a strong demand for help from partnering federal and state agencies nationwide. 

“Massachusetts stands ready to partner with firefighters across the country and in Canada to help combat rising wildfires,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We have seen how devastating fires can be in our own communities, but we have also seen just how effective our crews have been in dealing with the wildfires that have occurred here in Massachusetts. I know they are the right people for the job, and I thank them for flying west to assist with this fire.”

“The firefighters we are sending represent the firm Massachusetts belief that when a neighbor asks for help, you show up. Only by working together can we effectively respond to severe weather events like this,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I appreciate the work our 20 firefighters will be doing in Alaska and am so grateful we live in a state with such dedicated individuals.”

“Hotter temperatures put a strain on firefighting crews across the country, and we will have their backs,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “When Massachusetts gets the call, our crews are ready to help. I’m grateful to the hardworking Massachusetts firefighters heading out to Alaska to take on this tough challenge.”

“We are incredibly proud of the DCR and MassWildlife firefighters who have volunteered to help our friends and partners across the country,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “These wildland firefighters are exceptionally well-trained, and their skills are much needed and appreciated by our Northwestern partners. Their commitment exemplifies the American spirit of helping one another in times of crisis, especially as we get ready to celebrate the Fourth of July.” 

“As climate change brings more frequent, long-lasting drought and extreme heat, wildfires are intensifying across North America. We are committed to standing by our partners across the country to protect public safety, our forests, and biodiversity," said DFG Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “We are extremely grateful for the dedicated team from DCR and MassWildlife who have generously volunteered to contribute their hard-earned skills to this important cause. This experience in Alaska will also help our staff gain skills and proficiency for work here in Massachusetts, both for wildfires and prescribed fires that we conduct under strictly controlled protocols to maintain healthy habitats to benefit people and native wildlife and plants.” 

The crew, known as a “Type2 Initial Attack Hand Crew” plays an important role in fighting wildfires. They will be working directly on the front lines for about 14 days, doing critical tasks like building fire breaks, securing fire perimeters, containing fires, and protecting structures. Last year, Massachusetts sent two of these crews to help with wildfires in Montana and Idaho. They later used what they learned to tackle an unprecedented wildfire season back home in Massachusetts that lasted until the end of November.   

This latest deployment comes after DCR Commissioner Arrigo received a request for help from the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources through the National Interagency Coordination Center in Boise, ID. 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 several states, including Alaska, Florida, Virginia, and even Quebec. 

“The current weather pattern and fuel conditions across the entire northeast region has kept wildfire activity low for most of this year so far,” said DCR Chief Fire Warden Dave Celino. “The low fire activity in Massachusetts and other northeastern states enables us to lend support to our friends in the west through a well-coordinated national response system.”

Currently, Alaska is facing a serious challenge with 67 wildfires burning over 129,000 acres of land, most of which are either at low or zero percent containment. The Massachusetts crew will join 34 other wildfire crews currently working in the state, assisted by over 29 engines, 15 helicopters and a total of 1,487 personnel assigned.  

All firefighters are federally certified for the work, having passed a 40-hour federal wildland firefighting class and physical fitness test. Through the mutual aid agreement of the compact, the requesting state or province pays all expenses of the out-of-state crews, including salary, transportation, lodging, and food.

The responding Massachusetts firefighters are: 

Roy J. Liard Jr. (Crew Boss), DCR, Millville

Benjamin Jennell, DCR, West Newbury

Brian Mayer, DCR, Groton

Benjamin Mazzei, MassWildlife, Pelham

Robert Armstrong, DCR, Conway

George Kleczka, DCR, Plainville

Brian Johnson, DCR, Ashburnham

Chris Huling, DCR, Franklin

Cody Smeaton, DCR, Westport

Declan Nash, DCR, Groton

Nathaniel Cowan, DCR, Easthampton

Glen Consolmango, DCR, Franklin

Tyler Desautels, DCR, Millbury

Nathan Buckhout, MassWildlife, Cummington

Joe Nawrocki, DCR, New Salem

Riley Holm, DCR, Worcester

Vincenzo Marino, DCR, Unionville

Brian Procida, DCR, Brockton

James Morrison, DCR, Walpole

Derrick Valoucin, DCR, Holliston 

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