NJ Forest Fire Service 2018 engine deployments (Sept. 5th): update

It has been several days since I posted my last update on the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) type-4 engines deployed in the western U.S. It is time to provide an update on where these engines are.

Engines A-45 and T-9 had been assigned to the Stone Fire (California) last week, they were demobilized from that fire, on or about August 28th with a possible crew rotation, see an August 28th post on Facebook from the NJFFS A2 Firefighters Association. The Stone Fire is now at 100 percent containment, having burned 39,387 acres.

Meanwhile Engines A-29 and T-5 were demobilized from the County Line Fire near Carlin Nevada, for more information see my August 27th post. According to the NJFFS A2 Firefighters Association in an August 31st Facebook Post, crew rotation occurred on August 31st with engines A-29 and T-5 being assigned to the Great Basis Task Force.

I was wondering where these four NJFFS engines are currently assigned. I got my answer from my friends at the NJFFS A2 Firefighters Association in their September 4th update on their Facebook Page. Engines A-45 and T-9 are currently assigned to the Hirz fire, 18 miles northeast of Redding CA (46,051 acres burned at 70 percent containment. Meanwhile, engines A-29 and T-5 (part of Great Basin Task Force 18) are working the Gance Fire in northern Elko County, Nevada (4,500 acres burned, containment unknown).

I continue to be very proud of the good work the NJFFS crews have done helping out our friends in California and the Great Basin fight wildfires. Some of you returned home in time to spend part of the holiday weekend with your family and friends in New Jersey. Others were fighting wildfires. Thank-you for your service and your sacrifice. Stay safe.