2019 wildfire season:NJ Forest Fire Service Crew nears end of two week deployment in Alaska

The NJS #1 crew from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service is near the end of their two week deployment in Alaska. NJFFS A2 Firefighters Association has been doing a great job under difficult circumstances (no direct communications with crew due to remote location) providing updates on NJS #1 crew. Here is their July 24th update on the Grouse Creek Fire where the NJ# #1 crew has been assigned. The Grouse Creek Fire is located about six miles north of Rampart, Alaska.

The size is now estimated at 30,276.1 acres. Personnel assigned remains at 107. There is still no direct cell phone communications with NJFFS crew, due to the remote location. Report from the AICC SitRep - Numerous residences commercial facilities and infrastructure as well as many structures and out buildings are under threat from this fire. Protection efforts are needed as well as continued assessment of best strategy to work on this fire. Crews will continue notification and survey of community along with preparing structures as needed. Continue needs assessment and complete evacuation plan for Rampart Village.

Also on July 24th, NJFFS A2 shared a short video shot by wildland firefighters assigned to the Grouse Creek Fire. The fire was burning in Black Spruce along and near the Yukon River.

Finally, the NJFFS A2 just provided an update about an hour ago (July 26th), saying in part:

All indications are that the New Jersey crew will complete today's assignments and then begin the demob process. Information from the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center this morning is vague, at best. "Prior to the morning hours on Thursday, the fire pushed in a northeast direction toward Troublesome Creek. Ongoing point protection work will continue with structures and allotments both up and downriver from Rampart. Hose lays and sprinklers will be tested. Mop up will continue." 

To the NJS #1 Crew, I am so very of you. You honor us here in New Jersey with your service helping out in Alaska. I am so very proud of you. Stay safe and safe travel home.

Updated on July 31 2019: the links to the Facebook posts from the NJFFS A2 Firefighters Association are no longer active.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). Updates about when the NJS #1 crew was released was also obtained from the Eastern Area Coordination Center's  Interagency Resource Representative Report (IARR), updated daily while Eastern Area crews are deployed.