Wisconsin DNR Firefighters Head To Help Western U.S. and Canada

Source: Wisconsin DNR

3 min read

Wisconsin DNR Firefighters Head To Help Western U.S. and Canada

Jul 29, 2025, 9:41 AM CST

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MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – DNR firefighters have been mobilized from the Midwest to help fight wildfires across the western U.S. and Canada.

Nearly 70 active large-scale wildfires are burning over a million acres in the U.S. alone. Much of this wildfire activity is occurring in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona and California and was caused by dry lightning strikes in dense wooded areas with remote access.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says the Fire Control program staff from the state have been mobilized across the western U.S. and into Canada to help combat the blazes.

“This is no different than any other year besides it is a little bit earlier.” That’s Catherine Koele a Wisconsin DNR Wildfire Prevention Specialist. “Once you get notice of a resource order, you can be mobilized in 24 hours.”

Full Story Audio & Interview with WI DNR Specialist.

On average, the DNR sends an estimated 60 personnel and equipment annually to support out-of-state fire assignments across the U.S. and Canada. In the past, the DNR has also brought in out-of-state resources to help fight wildfires in Wisconsin during peak fire season.

Personnel and engines from Wisconsin have been moved to over 65 out-of-state fire assignments so far this year.

How can we afford to send resources when we have our own problems here? “These experiences they bring back to Wisconsin and it’s a way for us to improve our program here. They share those experiences. Hey, we did this thing out in Oregon and it was really cool and a neat way to fight this fire. Those strategies are brought back to the state and we learn and grow from those experiences when we bring those resources back.” explained Koele.

The DNR assesses the state’s priorities before committing out-of-state resources. With recent widespread rain and green vegetation across the state, wildfire activity has subsided, and there is a minimal fire risk here in Wisconsin. This has allowed the DNR to shift focus and help support national wildfire efforts.

Vegetation Burn Severity in California.

Right now, 20 different DNR staff have been moved to 12 different states and provinces.

Three wildland fire engines are currently stationed in Oregon, packaged as part of a larger task force responding to various longer-duration fires, allowing local resources to focus on responding to emerging fires.

Six DNR staff are in northern Manitoba, serving in overhead support roles as well as a few assigned to a multi-state agency hand crew.

Another DNR engine is responding to fires in northern California.

Personnel and fire suppression equipment are allocated to these fires through mutual aid agreements outlined by federal firefighting agencies and the Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact, which is comprised of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota as well as Manitoba and Ontario, Canada.

A newly formalized and nationally accredited Wisconsin DNR Incident Management Team (IMT Type 3) is also on standby for western fire support. The team has 10 core positions and can be mobilized to assist a local agency by providing a structured approach to incident response, resource allocation and communication.

The Wisconsin firefighters and engines are slated to be on assignment for two weeks or until the fire severity subsides. Several more Wisconsin resources have been made available and could be assigned to fires in the coming weeks. The DNR anticipates additional mobilizations over the coming weeks as the western fire situation increases and local resources are depleted.

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