OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has sent more than 200 firefighters to assist with the large wildfires burning in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada.
As part of the Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement, DNR dispatched multiple crews and equipment. This includes eight contracted 20-person hand crews, a DNR 20-person hand crew, a DNR 10-person hand crew, and a DNR strike team of engines. The most recent team left over the weekend.
George Geissler, DNR’s State Forester, highlighted the importance of regional agreements. “We have a strong working relationship with Canada,” he said. “Now it’s our turn to lend a helping hand.”
The Washington State Fire Service is also involved, joining an incident management team operating in Alberta. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove emphasized the collaboration. “With only a line on a map separating Washington from Canada, I’m proud to have a team who can quickly respond,” he stated.
Despite the deployment, DNR remains ready to tackle potential wildfires in Washington as the 2025 fire season intensifies. With nearly 90 percent of Washington’s wildfires caused by human activity, residents are encouraged to follow wildfire safety tips available on the DNR website.
For more information on wildfire prevention, visit the DNR website.
