Friday’s mobilization of a 20-person interagency handcrew of New Jersey firefighters to Alaska marks a first for the state. Experiencing record-breaking high temperatures and unseasonable dryness, Alaska has reported over 160 active large fires burning almost 1.5 million total acres. With local resources strapped by the demands of active incidents, Alaska’s area Preparedness Level has been declared a 5, the highest on the scale.The crew traveled to Fairbanks Alaska then to Fort Wainwright for staging.
The NJFFS A2 Firefighters Association has been posting updates on NJS Crew #1 deployment in Alaska. According to their July 14th post the crew is assigned to the Grouse Creek Fire, perhaps caused by lightning, six miles from Rampart Alaska near the Yukon River. In their July 15th Facebook post, the NJFFS A2 Firefighter Association says in part:
NJS #1 is assigned to. Undergoing extreme fire behavior. Fire growth in several directions but predominantly moving northeast. 3 separate columns were observed. Expecting acreage to double in the next 24hrs and to possibly double again within 48 hrs. Threatened in addition to Rampart are allotments and structures from NE to SW of the fire along and near the Yukon River. … Working on MAPs. Will continue needs assessment and draft evacuation plan.I may have been late in this first post about NJS Crew #1, but be assured that I have been thinking about them the last few days. I am very proud of the crew. You honor New Jersey. Stay safe.
Updated on July 31 2019: the links to the Facebook posts from the NJFFS A2 Firefighters Association are no longer active. Other sources of information are the daily situation reports from the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center (AICC), and Alaska Fire Info (daily updates during fire season).
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