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May
16
Written by:
news editor
5/16/2011 1:00 AM
A Ohio wildland fire engine with a crew of three firefighters was dispatched last week to fight wildfires at the Trans-Pecos Complex in western Texas.
COLUMBUS, OH – A wildland fire engine with a crew of three firefighters was dispatched last week to fight wildfires at the Trans-Pecos Complex in western Texas. The crew will be constructing firelines and extinguishing fires in an effort to protect structures and homes in the area, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry.
“The Ohio wildfire crew left Thursday for Texas and includes three of our division’s employees,” said Robert Boyles, state forester and chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “As of Wednesday, several wildfires in the Trans-Pecos Complex had covered more than 50,000 acres.”
“Ohio’s wildfire crew will be assisting the State of Texas Forest Service with fire suppression activities,” said Mike Bowden, fire management program administrator for the ODNR Division of Forestry. “The weather pattern that has brought Ohio record rainfall has had the opposite effect on western Texas where record drought is occurring.”
ODNR’s Division of Forestry participates in a national cooperative effort with the federal government and the National Association of State Foresters in providing mutual assistance to combat the nation’s wildfires. Ohio wildfire crews also gain hands-on experience to use in suppressing Ohio wildfires. The federal government reimburses all personnel costs and other expenses.
In Ohio, approximately 800 wildfires burn more than 4,500 acres annually. Many of these fires occur during the spring and fall seasons.
The ODNR Division of Forestry works to promote the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands. To learn more about Ohio’s woodlands, visit www.ohiodnr.com/forestry.
The ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at ohiodnr.com.
For more information, contact:
Mike Bowden, ODNR Division of Forestry
614. 265. 1088
Jason Fallon, ODNR Office of Communications
614. 265. 6842
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