Manitou Park Firefighters Headed To Colorado To Help With Fires

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ Three members of the Manitou Park Volunteer Fire Company are on their way to Colorado to help out with the Lake Christine wildfire.

"Safe travels and be safe out there guys," a post on the fire department's Facebook page says. "Previously this month Ex-Chief Brian Corvinus was on assignment in Nevada and just returned home this past weekend."

Jason Risk, Rich Henninger and Ex-Chief Will Jubert are several of the 20 New Jersey firefighters who left recently to assist fire crews with the wildfire in western Colorado.

Firefighters left Friday morning from Philadelphia International and Newark-Liberty International airports. They will be given specific assignments when they arrive at the fire base camp, according to a state Department of Environmental Protection release.

“The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has a proud record of helping out western states during their time of need," DEP Catherine R. McCabe said. “Although these fires may be thousands of miles away, our men and women of the Forest Fire Service share a deep sense of duty in protecting lives and properties when wildfires strike in other states.”

Other New Jersey crews will be driving two wildfire engines across country to assist in the nearly 29,000-acre Carr Fire in northern California, northwest of Redding. They are expected to arrive on Monday.

A crew of 20 that assisted in Utah returned to New Jersey this week. Forest Fire Service personnel this summer have also assisted with wildfires in Nevada, Texas and Idaho.

“Our crews have extensive experience in fighting volatile forest fires, particularly in the fire-prone Pine Barrens,” said New Jersey State Firewarden Greg McLaughlin. “Our crews will provide invaluable support, helping to provide some relief to firefighters who have been working round the clock to control these wildfires.”

The Lake Christine wildfire, located within the White River National Forest, has burned some 12,000 acres so far. White River National Forest is located in the Rocky Mountains between Aspen and Vail.

The Colorado assignment is expected to last two weeks. The New Jersey State Forest Fire Service is expected to send additional crews as hot and dry conditions persist in the West.

“The West is hitting a critical period, with the number of wildfires sparked by lightning strikes expected to increase in the coming weeks and the dry conditions persisting,” McLaughlin said.

In times of extreme wildfire conditions, New Jersey assists other states through agreements with the U.S. Forest Service and Eastern Area Coordination Center.

For more information on the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, click the logo above or visit www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/fire/aboutus.html

Photo: Courtesy of Manitou Park Volunteer Fire Company