Please see the latest update on
our fire crew assignment to British Columbia, Canada. Today is the final day on the fire for the crew. Yesterday was long action packed day, as they supported
a major burn out operation to secure the west flank of Division B, which increases security for the village of Clinton, BC. Saturday will be spent
debriefing, cleaning trucks and packing gear for the trip home. Depending on smoke impacts on the airports, the crew will fly to Quebec City on Sunday or
Monday and bus back to Hopkinton from there. More details to follow as they become available. Please keep these great MA and NH staff if your thoughts as
they begin closing out the assignment this week.
Massachusetts Dept of Conservation and Recreation
Out of State Wildland Fire Mobilization Briefing
Friday 8-18-17 Final Day on the Fire!
Massachusetts Wildfire Crew- MA#1- Wildfire Hand Crew
20 Person Hand crew: 14 DCR, 2 DFW, 4 New Hampshire (NHS)
Crew Boss: Alan Smith, NHS (State)
RoyLiard, MAS-DCR (Crew Boss Trainee)
Assignment: NE Compact Assistance to BC Canada
Location: ELEPHANT HILL FIRE
Size: 168,092
hectares: 415,364 Acres estimated
Containment: 30%
estimated
Total Personnel : 592 Firefighters 92 Support Staff
16Helicopters 135 Pieces
of Heavy Equipment
Weather: Mainlysunny, widespread smoke, 70°F, 35% Relative Humidity with NW 5-15 mi/h winds. Still under moderate smoke conditions
Incident Information: Fire was
discovered on July 6th. There has been little growth of this firesince the rain a few days ago. Crews continue to work on the north flank, which
is the head of the fire, building hand and machine control lines. Air supporthas been used in the form of tanker, skimmer and helicopter support to
strengthen the control lines on the north and east flanks. Portions of the fireon the east flank were active but stayed within the control lines. A burn out
operation occurred in Division B yesterday. Evacuations remain in effect inmany areas of the fire.
CrewInformation, Last Day: MAS#1 with NH firefighters
continue to work with crews from Australia, New Zealand and BC to keep the firein check along their Division B perimeter to protect Clinton under active fire
behavior conditions. The crew played a critical role in a major burn outoperation on the west flank of Div B yesterday to secure that section of
perimeter. They will spend their finalday on the fire back on Div B patrolling and mopping up residual heat along the
perimeter. The crew will be debriefedtomorrow and prepare to fly to Quebec City on Sunday or Monday, and then return
to Hopkinton State Park by bus. The CrewBoss reports excellent work by all the crew members and continued favorable
reviews by BC Fire managers. Specialmention to Roy Liard, DCR District 7 Fire Warden, John Hallinan, DCR District 6
Patrolman, and Alan Smith, New Hampshire State for their excellent leadership.
The crew was mobilized on 8-3-17 and
mustered at Hopkinton State Park Headquarters where gear was checked, weighedand prepared for transportation to Quebec City, Canada. The Mobilization is facilitated through the
Northeast Forest Fire Compact, of which Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Quebechave been strong participating member for over 60 years.
Current Fire Situation: There are over124 large fires burning within the interior portion of BC totaling over 1
million acres. Fire activity continuesto be driven by extremely dry fuel conditions resulting from little to no
precipitation over the last few months combined with abnormally hightemperatures. Little to no
precipitation is expected over the next 2 weeks.
______________________
Please see the latest update on our fire crew assignment to British Columbia, Canada. The crew continues to do very well with daily challenges encountered with afternoon fire behavior against containment lines. They have received excellent reviews from the fire staff of BC for being hard workers, organized and very disciplined. Last day of the fire will be Friday the 18th with travel home most likely Sunday or Monday for a well deserved break. Please keep these great MA and NH staff if your thoughts as they begin closing out the assignment this week.
Massachusetts Dept of Conservation and Recreation
Out of State Wildland Fire Mobilization Briefing
Friday 8-15-17
Massachusetts Wildfire Crew- MA#1- Wildfire Hand Crew
20 Person Hand crew: 14 DCR, 2 DFW, 4 New Hampshire (NHS)
Crew Boss: Alan Smith, NHS (State)
RoyLiard, MAS-DCR (Crew Boss Trainee)
Assignment: NE Compact Assistance to BC Canada
Location: ELEPHANT HILL FIRE
Size: 163,221 hectares: 403,327 Acres estimated
Containment: 30%estimated
Total Personnel : 613 Firefighters 92 Support Staff
23Helicopters 135 Pieces
of Heavy Equipment
Weather: Mainly sunny, widespread smoke, 70°F, 35% Relative Humidity with NW 5-15 mi/h winds. Still under moderate smoke conditions
IncidentInformation: Fire was discovered on July 6th. Fire fighters, heavy equipment, helicopters, and water bomber air tankers continue their efforts focusing on homes and infrastructure. A number of communities remain threatened. Over 700 personnel including night shifts are working to ensure firefighter safety, ensuring public safety and protecting homes.
Crew Information: International Effort: MAS#1 with NH firefighterscontinue to work with crews from Australia, New Zealand and BC to keep the fire
in check along their Division Dozer line perimeter under very active firebehavior conditions. The crew has been
focused on securing fire lines south of Clinton and keeping the fire out of thevillage. Daily objectives have been mopping up hot spots, setting up hose line and burning out areas of unburned fuels along containment lines. They’ve
had great reviews from our BC friends, who remarked on how “organized anddisciplined the U.S. crew is”. Fire camp
has grown to almost 500. Crew boss reports the crew remains energized eventhough the common camp cold is starting to show in many of the crews brought on
by cooler night times temps and the dry conditions. MAS#1 will spend their last day on the fireon Friday the 18th and preparing to fly home on Sunday or Monday.
The crew was mobilized on 8-3-17 and
mustered at Hopkinton State Park Headquarters where gear was checked, weighedand prepared for transportation to Quebec City, Canada. The Mobilization is facilitated through the
Northeast Forest Fire Compact, of which Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Quebechave been strong participating member for over 60 years.
Current Fire Situation: There are over
130 large fire burning within the interior portion of BC totaling over 1million acres. Fire activity is being driven
by extremely dry fuel conditions resulting from little to no precipitation overthe last few months combined with abnormally high temperatures reaching the
upper 90’s this past week. Little to noprecipitation is expected over the next 2 weeks.
____________________________
Please see the attached Wildfire Crew Update for 8-10-17. Yesterday proved to be a challenging, but rewarding day for the crew, as they faced very active fire behavior along their division south of Clinton. They worked with crews from Australia, New Zealand and Ottawa to keep the fire in check and continue to protect the village of Clinton. The crew is healthy and yesterdays challenge with their new friends from Australia and New Zealand made for a good energizing experience.
Massachusetts Dept of Conservation and Recreation
Out of State Wildland Fire Mobilization Briefing
Friday 8-8-17
There is currently 1 mobilization ongoing from Massachusettsto British Columbia, Canada.
Massachusetts Wildfire Crew- MA#1- Wildfire Hand Crew
20 Person Hand crew: 14 DCR, 2 DFW, 4 New Hampshire (NHS)
Crew Boss: Alan Smith, NHS (State)
Roy
Liard, MAS-DCR (Crew Boss Trainee)
Assignment: NE Compact Assistance to BC Canada
Location: ELEPHANT HILL FIRE
Size: 117,170hectares: 292,925 Acres estimated
Containment: 30%estimated
Total Personnel : 580 Firefighters 92 Support Staff
26
Helicopters 105 Piecesof Heavy Equipment
Weather: Sunny, widespread smoke, 86°F, 15% Relative Humidity with NW 6 mi/h winds. **Fire Managers are concerned for a predicted wind event on Friday.
Incident Information: Fire was discovered on July 6th. Fire fighters, heavy equipment, helicopters, and water bomber air tankers continue their efforts focusing on homes and infrastructure. Unpredictable winds and extremely dry conditions are creating some volatile fire behavior and challenging firefighting efforts. A number of communities remain threatened. Over 600 personnel including night shifts are working to ensure firefighter safety, ensuring public safety and protecting homes and infrastructure.
Crew Information: International Effort: MAS#1 with NH firefighters combined efforts
yesterday with crews from Australia, New Zealand and Ottawa to keep the fire incheck along their Division Dozer line perimeter under very active fire behavior
conditions. Crew leadership reports that all 4 country’s worked very well together to keep the fire in check and from threatening the village of Clinton. By all accounts, overhead staff is happy with their work, especially bringing burnout experience to the assignment.
The crew wasmobilized on 8-3-17 and mustered at Hopkinton State Park Headquarters where
gear was checked, weighed and prepared for transportation to Quebec City,Canada. The Mobilization is facilitated
through the Northeast Forest Fire Compact, of which Massachusetts, NewHampshire and Quebec have been strong participating member for over 60
years.
Current Fire Situation: There are over 126 large fire burning within the interior portion of BC
totaling over 1 million acres. Fireactivity is being driven by extremely dry fuel conditions resulting from little
to no precipitation over the last few months combined with abnormally hightemperatures reaching the upper 90’s this past week. Little to no precipitation is expected over
the next 2 weeks.
_________________
Please see the attached Wildfire Crew Update for 8-8-17. The crew is doing very well, and melding into the British Columbia fire management system. They are working the West Division of the Fire outside the village of Clinton, which has been evacuated. Due to their assignment location, the crew was moved to a camp in Clinton, closer to their assignment. Everyone is healthy, doing good work and representing us very well.
Massachusetts Dept of Conservation and Recreation
Out of State Wildland Fire Mobilization Briefing
Friday 8-8-17
There is currently 1 mobilization ongoing from Massachusettsto British Columbia, Canada.
Massachusetts Wildfire Crew- MA#1- Wildfire Hand Crew
20 Person Hand crew: 14 DCR, 2 DFW, 4 New Hampshire (NHS)
Crew Boss: Alan Smith, NHS (State)
Roy
Liard, MAS-DCR (Crew Boss Trainee)
Assignment: NE Compact Assistance to BC Canada
Location: ELEPHANT HILL FIRE
Size: 117,170
hectares: 292,925 Acres estimated
Containment: 30%
estimated
Total Personnel : 580 Firefighters 92 Support Staff
22Helicopters 105 Pieces
of Heavy Equipment
Weather: Sunny, widespread smoke, 86°F, 15% Relative Humidity with NW 6mi/h winds. There’s so much smoke, the sun never comes out.
Incident Information: Fire was discovered on July 6th. Fire fighters, heavy equipment, helicopters, and water bomber air tankers continue their efforts focusing on homes and infrastructure. Unpredictable winds and extremely dry conditions are creating some volatile fire behavior and challenging firefighting efforts. Numerous homes are threatened within the area and evacuations are in effect. Over 600 personnel including night shifts are working to ensure firefighter safety, ensuring public safety and protecting homes and infrastructure.
Crew Information: MAS#1 isworking on a Division outside of Clinton, securing control lines with hose
lines and burnout operations. The crew the 99 Mile Fire Camp and to Clinton’s Fire Camp. The village is stillevacuated and the only store open in town is the Shell gas station. The crew has done well working into a system with some differences to operations typically found on U.S. Federal assignments. By all accounts, overhead staff is happy with their work, especially bringing burnout experience to the assignment.
The crew was
mobilized on 8-3-17 and mustered at Hopkinton State Park Headquarters wheregear was checked, weighed and prepared for transportation to Quebec City,
Canada. The Mobilization is facilitatedthrough the Northeast Forest Fire Compact, of which Massachusetts, New
Hampshire and Quebec have been strong participating member for over 60years.
Current Fire Situation: There are over 110 large fire burning within
the interior portion of BC totaling over 1 million acres. Fire activity is being driven by extremelydry fuel conditions resulting from little to no precipitation over the last few
months combined with abnormally high temperatures reaching the upper 90’s thispast week. Little to no precipitation is
expected over the next 2 weeks.
______________
Massachusetts Dept of Conservation and Recreation
Out of State Wildland Fire Mobilization Briefing
Friday 8-6-1
There is currently 1 mobilization ongoing from Massachusetts
to British Columbia, Canada.
Massachusetts Wildfire Crew- MA#1- Wildfire Hand Crew
20 Person Hand crew: 14 DCR, 2 DFW, 4 New Hampshire (NHS)
Crew Boss: AlanSmith, NHS (State)
Roy
Liard, MAS-DCR (Crew Boss Trainee)
Assignment: NE Compact Assistance to BC Canada
Location: ELEPHANT HILL FIRE
Size: 110,236.0
hectares: 272,399 Acres estimated
Containment: 30%estimated
Total Personnel : 600
IncidentInformation: Fire was discovered on
July 6th. Fire fighters, heavy equipment, helicopters, and water bomber air tankers continue their efforts focusing on homes and infrastructure. Unpredictable winds and extremely dry conditions are creating some volatile fire behavior and challenging firefighting efforts. The fire perimeter to the north has crossed the Bonaparte River. Guard lines (fire lines) have been constructed along the north flank and controlled burns took place Friday afternoon. Numerous homes are threatened within the area and evacuations are in effect. Over 600 personnel including night shifts are working to ensure firefighter safety, ensuring public safety and protecting homes and infrastructure.
Crew Information: MAS#1 went through a mandatory provincial briefing on fire operations on Saturday and were assigned to the Elephant Hill Fire and the 99 Mile Fire Camp. The crew is set up in camp and working on the fire today, assigned to the North Branch of the fire plumbing in water systems, securing dozer lines, and preparing for potential burn out operations.
The crew wasmobilized on 8-3-17 and mustered at Hopkinton State Park Headquarters where
gear was checked, weighed and prepared for transportation to Quebec City,Canada. The Mobilization is facilitated
through the Northeast Forest Fire Compact, of which Massachusetts, NewHampshire and Quebec have been strong participating member for over 60
years.
Current Fire Situation: There are over 110 large fire burning withinthe interior portion of BC totaling over 1 million acres. Fire activity is being driven by extremely
dry fuel conditions resulting from little to no precipitation over the last fewmonths combined with abnormally high temperatures reaching the upper 90’s this
past week. Little to no precipitation isexpected over the next 2 weeks.
____________________________
ORIGINAL POST
FYI. The Wildfire Crew is well on their way to British Columbia for a two week assignment with two crews from Quebec to assist with heavy wildfire activity throughout the interior portion of the province. Massachusetts firefighters are comprised of 14 from Mass DCR and 2 from Mass DFW. Crew leadership reports the crew has performed excellent through the first phase of the mobilization. They are energized and excited to get assigned to one of the 110 large fires currently burning and represent Massachusetts, the United States and the Northeast Forest Fire Compact in the highest regard.
Massachusetts Dept of Conservation and Recreation
Out of State Wildland Fire Mobilization Briefing
Friday
8-4-17
There is currently 1 mobilization ongoing from Massachusettsto British Columbia, Canada.
Massachusetts Wildfire Crew- MA#1- Wildfire Hand Crew
20 Person Hand crew: 14 DCR, 2 DFW, 4 New Hampshire (NHS)
Crew Boss: Alan Smith, NHS (State)
Roy
Liard, MAS-DCR (Crew BossTrainee)
Assignment: NE Compact Assistance to BC Canada
Location: Interior BC (No specific FireAssigned yet)
Size:
Containment:
Total Personnel :
Incident Information:
The
MAS#1 Crew was mobilized on 8-3-17 and mustered at Hopkinton State ParkHeadquarters where gear was checked, weighed and prepared for transportation to
Quebec City, Canada. Crew loaded a busat 0900. First stop was New Hampshire to
pick up 4 NHS firefighters, including the qualified crew boss to make up a full20 person handcrew (standard size). Crew successfully crossed the border with no issues and arrived in
Quebec, where they have linked up with the Quebec SOPFEU Forest FireAgency. They will link up with 2 Quebec
Wildfire Handcrews for the final flight to British Columbia this morning. A Quebec Liaison will be assigned to MAS#1for the duration of the assignment.
Destination is Prince George, where
there is a large fire camp to support crews. They will be embedded and in briefed on the British Columbia fire systemand the fire issues facing then over the next 14 days.
TheMobilization is facilitated through the Northeast Forest Fire Compact, of which
Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Quebec have been strong participating memberfor over 60 years.
Current Situation: There are over 110 large fire burning within
the interior portion of BC totaling over 1 million acres. Resources from Mexico have also been tappedthrough an international agreement. Fire
activity is being driven by extremely dry fuel conditions resulting from littleto no precipitation over the last few months combined with abnormally high
temperatures reaching the upper 90’s this past week. Little to no precipitation is expected overthe next 2 weeks.