Two staff of Voyageurs National Park will assist in battling wildfires in New Mexico.
The two summer fire technicians are a part of three fire crews from Minnesota to be sent to New Mexico, and will be part a 20-member team that is expected to be deployed for two weeks, according to VNP Chief Ranger Jim Hummel. The park staff headed last week to Carlsbad Caverns to help deal with a fire there that started under suspicious circumstances, he said.
“This is an exciting opportunity for them. One is experienced and one is brand new to wildland firefighting world,” said Hummel last week. “We’re excited to get them out and get real-world, hands-on experience they can bring back here to utilize if we have any unplanned starts.”
The VNP staff members are normally available to respond to planned and unplanned fire starts in VNP, but Hummel said existing staff — fire staff, rangers and maintenance workers that are trained and certified in unplanned fire starts — can help with an initial attack should a fire occur in the park.
“If a start goes beyond our capability of initial attack, which is the first day, then we call in additional resources,” he said.
Hummel said the potential for unplanned fires within the park will increase as moisture conditions change.
He said more than 70 lightening strikes were brought to the area in one storm about two weeks ago, but a significant amount of rain also came with the storm.
“As conditions dry out, and that’s already starting, the potential for strikes and burns is still there,” he said.
Meanwhile, the park staff will join other Minnesota wildfire fighters, including members of the state Department of Natural Resources; the U.S. Forest Service; the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs and agencies from Bois Forte, Grand Portage, Fond du Lac and Leech Lake; and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
