On January 24, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that Pennsylvania is deploying two crews of highly trained wildland firefighters, coordinated by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, to California to help combat the devastating wildfires near Los Angeles.

This deployment is taking place as a result of a request for assistance from the state of California.

These 40 firefighters will bring their expertise and commitment to protect lives, homes, and natural resources in communities outside Los Angeles.

"Today, 40 of Pennsylvania’s skilled wildland firefighters are heading to California to assist in the battle against these devastating fires,” said Gov. Shapiro. “Pennsylvania stands ready to help our fellow Americans – and these brave, highly trained firefighters are answering the call and heading to California to join the ongoing work to help protect lives and entire communities."

The crews, comprising 40 firefighters, departed on January 24 – and are expected to arrive in California on Monday, January 27.

This dedicated team includes both experienced DCNR staff and volunteer wildland firefighters from across Pennsylvania, exemplifying the Commonwealth’s collaboration to assist other states in times of emergencies and readiness to answer the call for help.

“Our firefighters stand ready to meet the challenge of protecting lives, homes, and natural resources,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Pennsylvania’s wildland firefighters are among the best in the nation, rigorously trained to national standards and widely respected for their expertise in wildfire management. We are proud to contribute our skills and resources to support California’s communities during this critical time.”

Each team is structured to operate effectively in the most demanding conditions, with 20 members led by a crew boss and three squad bosses.

They will work and live together for the duration of their 14-day deployment, with tasks including:

-- Installing water lines and sprinkler systems to protect fire lines and buildings,

-- Improving defensible space around homes in the path of wildfires, and

-- Reinforcing critical fire containment strategies to prevent further spread.

In addition to the deployed crews, Pennsylvania already has a trained liaison on the ground in Los Angeles, facilitating coordination between the U.S. Forest Service and East Coast fire crews.

The DCNR Bureau of Forestry remains at the forefront of wildfire management, leveraging decades of experience and expertise to protect public and private lands from the devastating effects of wildfires.

Pennsylvania’s ability to assist other states in wildfire response is made possible under the Stafford Act, which allows the Commonwealth to collaborate with federal agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service.

Originally inspired by the devastation of Hurricane Agnes in 1972, the Stafford Act highlights the importance of interagency cooperation during disasters.

DCNR has a long history of providing support in national emergencies, including after Hurricane Katrina in 2006 and Hurricane Ian in 2022.

The DCNR Bureau of Forestry is responsible for protecting the Commonwealth’s 17 million acres of public and private wildlands from damage by wildfire.

For more than 50 years, DCNR also has participated in a cooperative agreement with the federal government to assist with personnel and equipment for out-of-state wildfires. 

Learn more by visiting DCNR’s Wildfire webpage.

Click Here for a copy of DCNR’s announcement.

Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.

Visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events for activities happening near you.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website.

Resource Links:

-- DCNR Blog: Braving The Flames - The Stories Of Two Women Wildland Firefighters; Join The Crew!  [PaEN]

-- Guest Essay: Pennsylvania Firefighters Rise To The Challenge As Wildfires Spark Across Pennsylvania  [PaEN]

Related Articles:

-- Pennsylvania Deploys 40 Skilled Wildland Firefighters To Support California’s Battle Against Devastating Wildfires  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Recreation, Land Conservation, Riparian Buffers Thru April 2   [PaEN]

-- DCNR-Funded Mini-Grants Will Be Available From 15 Groups Across PA In 2025 To Support Smaller Local Projects  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Grants Newsletter Highlights Opening Of New Community Conservation Partnership Grant Round; Mini-Grants Available Thru 15 Groups In 2025 

-- Jan. 24 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation [PaEN] 

-- Berks Nature Protects 607 Acre Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation In Schuylkill County  [PaEN]

-- Manada Conservancy Partners With Laudenslager Family To Preserve 575 Acres In Dauphin County  [PaEN]

-- Berks Nature Establishes Ruth E. Fetterman Woodland To Preserve 102 Acres In Berks County [PaEN]

-- Northcentral PA Conservancy Partners With McMorris Family To Preserve 60-Acre Farm In Lycoming County  [PaEN]

-- Join North Branch Land Trust For A Special Event: Great Backyard Bird Count & Craft  Feb. 9 In Luzerne County  [PaEN]

-- Help Wanted: LandForce Starts Accepting Applications For Workforce Training Crew Members Jan. 27; Hire A LandForce Crew  [PaEN]

-- WeConservePA Hosts Feb. 27 What Does It Mean To Love A Forest Webinar; More Educational Opportunities  [PaEN]

-- Dept. Of Health Invites Students To Enter Art Contest To Raise Awareness About Ticks And Lyme Disease  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Beaver Times - Brian Whipkey: Snowmobilers Discover Ideal Conditions On State Trails, Here’s Why

-- WGAL: Game Commission Seeks Snowmobilers Who Chased, Ran Over Fox In Lebanon County

-- PennLive: Reward Now Tops $2,000  In Search Of Snowmobilers Who Ran Over Fox In Lebanon County

-- LancasterOnline: Middle Creek Wildlife Area May Close Areas To Public If Avian Flu Affects Large Numbers Of Migrating Birds

-- NextPittsburgh: 10-Year Vision For Three Rivers Water Trail Seeks To Expand, Improve Trail Access

-- WHYY: Philadelphia Receives Federal Funding To Expand Schuylkill River Trail

-- WHYY: Philly’s Rail Park Raises Millions For Next Phase From State, Federal Grants

-- TribLive: Iron Horse Bridge Rehab Seen As ‘Linchpin’ In Effort To Expand Trails And Connellsville’s Economy

-- NextPittsburgh: Train Delays Highlight Growing Problem At Etna Park Blocking Use

-- Post-Gazette: Why You Should Learn To Love Lichen And Leave It On Trees

-- Erie Times: When Snowy Owls Come South, Some Stop At Presque Isle State Park

[Posted: January 24, 2025]

1/27/2025