NC Forest Service sending equipment to help crews battling western wildfires
As wildfires continue to rage in several western states, the North Carolina Forest Service is for the first time sending equipment west to join dozens of personnel already on the ground.
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The forest service said Thursday that it sent three redesigned military trucks – two to Idaho and one to Oregon – that are designed to carry between 600 and 800 gallons of water. The trucks left over the weekend and are being transported on tracor-trailers.
About 70 members of the forest service are currently in western states, and about 180 total have gone west in 2015, officials said.
“We are proud of the men and women who have committed themselves to helping states that are facing significant fire threats," North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a statement. "The work they are doing will come back to us in the form of assistance when we need it.”
Forest Service employees are helping in several states by fighting fires and working in the command structure. The cost of their trips is being covered by federal money, officials said.
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