Photo courtesy Florida Forest Service
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Seven wildland firefighters with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Florida Forest Service are out west battling blazes.
The firefighters from Jacksonville bring the total number of wildland firefighters sent to Idaho, Oklahoma, Montana, Nevada and Oregon to 40. They are there to assist with fire suppression efforts.
"Due to rainfall in recent months, Florida's wildfire danger levels have decreased. Therefore, we are able to assist other states that greatly need our help. The Florida Forest Service has some of the most skilled firefighters in the country, and we gladly offer our talent and resources to help other states protect the safety of people, structures and natural resources," said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam.
The crews will assist with front-line firefighting and mop-up operations. They will use shovels, axes and rakes to manually create a fire break or fire line around the fire. The release said hand crews such as the ones from Florida are critical to wildfire suppression in the West.
All costs incurred by the state will be reimbursed.
First Coast News