City of Boulder Fire-Rescue Deploys Wildland Firefighters to Assist with Active Wildfires Across the West

States across the country are experiencing similar fire conditions to us here in Boulder - hot, dry, and windy. As wildfire activity increases so do resource requests from various organizations leading the fight against the fires. Boulder Fire-Rescue is lucky enough to be able to respond to those resource requests while also maintaining full emergency response capabilities at home.

Currently, Boulder Fire-Rescue has crews deployed to the Aspen Acres Fire near Rye, CO and to the El Dorado National Forest in CA. Boulder Fire-Rescue deployed a Type 6 wildland brush truck and a crew of three firefighters to the Aspen Acres Fire for an initial 72-hour assignment. The department also deployed a Task Force Leader as a single resource to support incident management operations on the same fire.

A crew of four, with a Type 3 wildland brush truck, was deployed on June 21 to California. Their two-week deployment will end on July 5, and another crew is planning on taking their place. Boulder Fire-Rescue anticipates continuing to send qualified personnel to support wildfire operations in the region as resource requests are received.

"Wildland deployments allow our firefighters to gain valuable experience on complex incidents while providing critical assistance to communities facing wildfires," said Brian Oliver, the city's Wildland Division Chief. "It is good to keep in mind that there may come a time when our community needs that same support, and these partnerships ensure fire agencies across the country are ready to help one another when we need it."

The focus on regional support and resource sharing allows departments to strategically move personnel and equipment to areas in need and also improves the skills and knowledge of the firefighters responding to these calls - bringing the experience and strength back home to assist locally when needed.

While firefighters are deployed, Boulder Fire-Rescue continues to maintain normal staffing levels and emergency response capabilities within the City of Boulder.

With conditions still favoring quick wildfire starts and spread, Boulder Fire-Rescue remains prepared to serve our Boulder community but also reminds the community of our shared responsibility of wildfire prevention - fire risk reduction strategies are only as strong as our community members make it, avoid fire causing behavior this holiday season and do your part to keep our community safe.