MFC Deploys Crews to Assist with Cougar Creek Fire in Washington State  

The Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) has deployed a twenty-person Type 2 Initial Attack Hand Crew to assist with wildfire suppression efforts on the Cougar Creek Fire in southeast Washington State. The crew names will be released upon their safe return to Mississippi in approximately two weeks. The fire currently spans 8,271 acres and is twenty-three percent contained.

Additionally, the MFC is dispatching a seven-person wildfire suppression module to Washington State tomorrow morning to assist with initial attack efforts as new wildfires ignite under very dry conditions. This module will be on standby, ready to respond to fires for 14 days.

The Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) participates in a compact that shares wildland firefighter resources among states in need. By deploying our personnel to assist elsewhere, we offer them valuable training experiences that enhance their skills for battling wildfires in Mississippi. In return, other states send their resources to help us when necessary. This reciprocal arrangement proved crucial last year during a severe wildfire season, as we had much-needed support from other states.

Hand crews play a crucial role on the front lines of wildland firefighting. These trained employees use hand tools to construct firelines—strips of land cleared of flammable materials and dug down to the mineral soil—surrounding the wildfire. They also burn out fire areas and mop up after the fire has been controlled.

Due to the challenging mountainous terrain and limited accessibility for heavy equipment in many areas out West, hand tool crews are frequently deployed on the ground to battle wildfires. While hand tool crews are occasionally used in Mississippi in rough or inaccessible terrain, bulldozers and tractor-plow units remain the primary tools for containing wildfires in the state.

“We appreciate our employees who are taking part in these efforts and assisting our state and federal partners in Washington State,” said Russell Bozeman, MFC State Forester. “Fighting the destructive power of wildfire means that our team is out there in extreme conditions, protecting lives, homes, and natural resources. We wish them a safe trip and look forward to their return home.”

For up-to-date information on specific wildfire incidents, please visit: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

For more information on wildfire conditions in Mississippi, click here.