Maryland Wildfire Home About The Crew Safety Photo Album News Links Bulletin Board FAQ The Maryland Wildfire Archived News Page ***Please note that not all links to outside websites may be valid any longer on the Archived News Page***

Below is a posting of news that Maryland Wildland Fire Crew members might find interesting or useful. Be sure to check back from time to time for updates. If you have something you would like to have communicated to your fellow crew members, just e-mail the webmaster.

6/27/2008 Fire Activity: NIFC (the National Interagency Fire Center) has raised its preparedness level from IV to a V today. This is the highest preparedness level and the earliest we have reached it this early in the year since 1990 (other then in 2002 when we reached it June 21st). For more information on the decision to raise the level Click Here (Adobe PDF document).

6/26/2008 MDS#1: Maryland is sending its first crew of the year out this week. Currently the crew MDS#1 is awaiting word on their departure time, but they are tentatively heading to California to the Whiskeytown Complex in the Whiskeytown National Recreational Area near Redding CA. Click here for a link to the National Park Service News Release on this complex of fires.

6/25/2008 Fire Activity: NIFC (the National Interagency Fire Center) has raised its preparedness level from III to IV today due to continued fire activity in California and the SouthWest in addition to projected increased fire activity in the Western Great Basin. To learn more about Preparedness levels Click here.

6/24/2008 Crew listing: Crew members: Don't forget to contact your Regional Fire Manger about your availability to participate on the crew this summer. Without your information, the Fire Managers don't know who is available and when, preventing them from listing crews as available. Don't let all that training go idle, list yourself as available today! Click here for the Regional Fire Manager's contact information.

6/22/2008 Fire Activity: NIFC (the National Interagency Fire Center) has raised its preparedness level from II to III today due to increased fire activity, particularly in California and the SouthWest. To learn more about Preparedness levels Click here.

6/9/2008 For crew members interested in crew t-shirts, Kia and Ryan are putting together an order. Turn around for this order is very quick, so please be sure to check out this link for information on ordering (WORD document) provided by Kia. For a picture of the design that is used, click here. Shirts will be similar to last years, only they will be gray instead of black and with a slightly smaller design on the back. Please place your order by 6/20/08 to guarantee your shirt order. After that date shirts will be available on a first come first served basis. A limited number of Black Sweatshirts are also available... contact Kia per the announcement if interested in these as well.

4/20/2008 Wildland Firefighter Training Announcement: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources will be having the last of the Spring 2008 Pack Tests/Refresher courses Weds and Sat May 7th and 10th. Please click here for the official training announcement (adobe pdf document). Also, the photoalbum for MDS#4 is almost complete. Feel free to view what has been created so far on the Photo Album Page.

3/16/2008 For crew members interested in crew t-shirts and sweatshirts, Kia is working on soliciting interest from crew members who would like to order t-shirts or sweatshirts. Also being considered is an alternative color and perhaps hats. They would all incorporate the newer design of the Maryland Interagency Logo created a few years ago. Be sure to check out this link for information if you think you might be interested (WORD document). For a picture of the design that is used, click here.

3/11/2008 Wildland Firefighter Training Announcement: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources has announced the Pack Test and Refresher training for all regions. Please click here for the official training announcement (adobe pdf document). Additionally, The Maryland Forest Service is offering in May the course S-215, Fire Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface. For additional information click here (adobe pdf document).

2/20/2008 MAFFC Sponsored Training: The Mid-Atlantic Forest Fire Compact in conjunction with West Virginia University Division of Forestry & Natural Resources, Morgantown, WV is presenting its second annual wildfire training academy. The Academy will offer courses that are basic to anyone interested in wildfire fighting. Click here for a link to the official website.

1/18/2008 New Wildland Firefighter Training Announcement: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources has posted the training announcement and schedule for new firefighters requiring the S130 – Wildland Firefighter, S190 – Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, L180-Human Factors on the Fireline, and I100 – Introduction to ICS training. This basic training is one of several requirements all new wildland firefighters must complete. Training will be the week of April 21st. Registration deadline is April 11th and seating is limited. Click here for a link to the official announcment (Adobe pdf document)

1/12/2008 Training Announcement: The Virginia Department of Forestry has announced the dates for its annual Interagency Wildfire Academy. This year it will be held June 3rd through June 8th at Longwood University in Farmville Virginia. Click here for a link to the Academy web page with additional information.

12/30/2007 Happy Holiday's everyone! The webmaster is working on the MDS#3 and MDS#4 photoalbums and they should be ready in the next few weeks. Sorry for the delay. Keep checking back for 2008 training announcements as they usually become available in January and February. CBS 60 Minutes ran a segment on MegaWildfires this evening. To listen to the MP3 playback of the report or download the podcast, click here or for the video click here.

9/15/2007 Training Announcements: The Delaware State Forest Service announced RX-340 Introduction to Fire Effects training originally posted on 9/10/2007 has been cancelled. Also, the S-022 Tractor Plow Operations training is at Elk Neck State Forest and the Sandy Cove Conference Center, not Elk Neck State Park as previously announced below. The original 9/10/2007 announcement has been updated to reflect these changes.

9/10/2007 Training Announcements: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources has posted a training annoucement for S-022 Tractor Plow Operations to be conducted October 1st through October 4th at Elk Neck State Forest and the Sandy Cove Conference Center. Click here for the official announcement and details (Adobe PDF). The Delaware State Forest Service's RX-340 Introduction to Fire Effects training sceduled for September 25th through September 28th has been canceled. Click here for the official original announcement and details (Adobe PDF) .

9/2/2007 MDS#4: MDS#4 has been assigned to the Cherry fire on the Klamath National Forest in California. As of this evening, the fire was 80 acres and only 10% contained. For additional information on the Cherry fire, click here!

8/31/2007 MDS#4: MDS#4 has been mobilized and will be meeting at the Madonna Ranger Station at 0200 Saturday September 1st. The crew is headed to the Klamath National Forest in California for lightning severity. Additional information about MDS#4 will be posted to MarylandWildfire.com as it becomes available. MDS#3 is scheduled to return home today. Welcome back everyone!

8/25/2007 MDS#3: Since returning from Bull Mountain #2 fire MDS#3 has worked two starts. Squad 4 a 0.3 acre grass fire and Squads 1 & 3 a 7 acre grass/slash/timber fire. Their last shift is scheduled for Wednesday and they are preliminarily planning to fly home Thursday. MDS#4: MDS#4 is currently listed as available and may be mobilized in the upcoming week. Additional information about MDS#4 will be posted to MarylandWildfire.com as it becomes available.

8/21/2007 MDS#3 & MDS#4: MDS#3 was sent to the Bull Mountain #2 fire yesterday for at least 2 planned shifts.  This followed a weekend with no Initial Attack activity for the crew.  Rain was received in the Missoula Area Sunday night as well.  MDS#3 is expected to return to Missoula Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.  MDS#4 is a definate possibility.  Be sure to keep your Regional Fire Manager updated as to your availability.

8/19/2007 MDS#3: MDS#3 made the front page of the Missoulian this morning (the local newspaper in Missoula where they are deployed). A picture from the Black Cat fire includes Jim, Sonny, and Kia next to thier pick-up while doing structure protection. Click here for a link to the Missoulian newspaper and here for a link to the online version of the picture.

8/18/2007 MDS#3: MDS#3 has checked in. They are staying at the same location as MDS#2 and already enjoying some Initial Attack action. Three out of the four squads have already worked one or more fires. Two squads spent Thursday working on the Black Cat fire, a large incident near Missoula. Initial Attack activity is expected to remain high in the area with Red Flag and Fire Weather watches posted for the area over the weekend. They will continue to check in and additional information will be posted to MarylandWildfire.com.

8/17/2007 New Wildland Firefighter Training Announcement: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources has posted the Fall training announcement and schedule for new firefighters requiring the S130 – Wildland Firefighter, S190 – Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, L180-Human Factors on the Fireline, and I100 – Introduction to ICS training. This basic training is one of several requirements all new wildland firefighters must complete. Training will be Monday, October 15 through Friday, October 19, 2007. Click Here for a link to the official announcement and details (MS Word Document).

8/16/2007 MDS#3: MDS#3 has checked in and everyone has safely arrived in Missoula. They have started their first shift of Initial Attack and are all in good spirits. They will continue to check in and additional information will be posted to MarylandWildfire.com.

8/15/2007 MDS#3: MDS#3 has been mobilized and will be meeting at the Madonna Ranger Station at 0400 Wednesday August 15th. They are currently slated to fly to Montana mobilized for Severity to work Initial Attack around Missoula picking up where MDS#2 left off. Click here for the Eastern Area IARR Report (pdf document) or here for the Eastern Area Managers Report. As information is received from the crew, addition information will be posted to MarylandWildfire.com

8/14/2007 MDS#2: MDS#2  returned home yesterday morning. Welcome back everyone! Don't forget to send in your pictures for the Photo Album page! MDS#3 will possibly be mobilized later this week. As soon as more information concerning MDS#3 is recieved it will be posted to MarylandWildfire.com.

8/8/2007 MDS#2: The crew has checked in and passed along that half the crew went to the Tin Cup fire last Sunday, but returned on Monday.  Additionally the crew is is doing well and continues to perform patrols and Initial Attack around Missoula.  They are currently planning to demob Sunday Aug 12th and will be returning home directly. 

8/3/2007 MDS#2: MDS#2 has checked in and reported that they continue to do well and are keeping busy with new starts. They continue to patrol and work Initial Attack (including the Mile Marker 124 fire which grew into a large fire) around Missoula with Montana DNR engines. The crew is broken into four squads and each squad has its own crew cab pickup truck. Dry thunderstorms are forecasted over the next few days which could cause the Initial Attack in the area to further increase. Additional information concerning MDS#2 will be posted as they check in.

7/29/2007 MDS#2: MDS#2 has safely arrived in Missoula Montana and has already seen some activity working initial attack broken out roughly by squad. They have their own transportation and are working along side several engines. They are currently staying in hotel rooms, have cell phone coverage, and are in good spirits. Additional information concerning MDS#2 will be posted as they check in.

7/27/2007 Maryland Wildfire Activity: WJZ TV has had extensive coverage the last few days related to Maryland's current drought and the related wildfire activity. Click here for a link to coverage of the drought including video that includes Patty A. from MDS#1 filmed at Modonna Weds evening upon the return of MDS#1 from Idaho. Click here for a link to coverage concerning burning bans and wildfire activity in Maryland.

7/27/2007 MDS#2: MDS#2 has been mobilized and will be meeting at the Madonna Ranger Station at 0200 Saturday July 28. They are currently slated to fly to Montana mobilized for Severity and will likely work initial attack or be assigned to a fire once they arrive. To keep up to date on MDS#2 (including the current fire they are assigned to) click here for the Eastern Area IARR Report (pdf document) or here for the Eastern Area Managers Report. Of course as information is received from the crew, addition information will be posted to MarylandWildfire.com

7/26/2007 MDS#2: MDS#2 will be mobilized and sent out sometime in the next few days. According to the Eastern Area Managers Report (Click here), the crew is slated to go to Montana when mobilized. As more information about MDS#2 is received, it will be posted here at MarylandWildfire.com

7/26/2007 Maryland Wildfire Activity: Drought conditions continue to persist in the Maryland region particularly in Southern Maryland and on the Eastern shore, keeping local firefighters and DNR personnel busy. Click here for all the local Maryland Wildfire news reports or Here for Maryland Brushfire news reports.

7/25/2007 Fire Activity: Fire activity has increased significantly over the last two weeks and NIFC has raised the national preparedness level from IV to a V, the highest level. To keep up to date on the fire situation nationally, check out the National Incident Situation Report (Adobe pdf document), updated every morning.

7/25/2007 MDS#1: MDS#1 has returned after spending two weeks at first on the Highway 93 Complex in Nevada then the Tongue Complex in Idaho. Welcome back everyone! Be sure to send in your pictures so they can be posted in the photoalbum.

7/10/2007 MDS#1: MDS#1 will be mobilizing early July 11th and is currently scheduled to deploy to the Highway 93 Complex in northeast Nevada. For more information about MDS#1 (including the current fire they are assigned to) via the IARR report click here (pdf document).

7/9/2007 MDS#1: Maryland is sending its first crew of the year out this week. Currently the crew MDS#1 is awaiting word on where their tentitive destination will be and when they will be departing. More information will be posted as soon as it is available.

A note from Kia concerning shirt orders: Shirts and sweatshirts are in and she will start shipping them later this week.

7/8/2007 Fire Activity: Fire activity has increased significantly over the last two days, especially in the Eastern and Western Great Basin Regions which have gone to a level V preparedness level. Additionally, NIFC has raised the national preparedness level from III to IV this afternoon. To keep up to date on the fire situation nationally, check out the National Incident Situation Report (Adobe pdf document), updated every morning.

7/6/2007 Fire Activity: NIFC (the National Interagency Fire Center) has raised its preparedness level from II to III today due to increased fire activity. To learn more about Preparedness levels Click here.

Additionally, recent fire activity has prompted fuels/fire behavior advisories to be issued for much of the west. Click here for an interactive map of the advisories.

6/21/2007 A note from Kia concerning shirt orders: Shirts/sweatshirts were ordered on Friday June 15th. Those of you who ordered should have them in about 3 weeks. Kia will have a few extra sweatshirts and T-shirts in size large and extra large. Please CONTACT her to see what she has available if you are interested in ordering something. Her contact information is listed two announcements below.

5/29/2007 Crew listing: Crew members: Don't forget to contact your Regional Fire Manger about your availability to participate on the crew this summer. Without your information, the Fire Managers don't know who is available and when, preventing them from listing crews as available. Don't let all that training go idle, list yourself as available today! Click here for the Regional Fire Manager's contact information.

5/29/2007 For crew members interested in crew t-shirts and sweatshirts, Kia is working on another order of the newer design incorporating the Maryland Interagency Logo created a few years ago. These are the same shirts she had at fire camp and this time also includes sweatshirts (which were unfortunately unavailable at camp). Be sure to check out this link for updated ordering information (WORD document). Hurry, orders are due to Kia by June 12th!

5/16/2007 Maryland Wildfire Resource Availability: Click here to link to the WBAL article and sound bites of Monte Mitchell commenting on Maryland making resources available for wildfires out of state currently as well as talking about ways to avoid starting a wildfire.

5/03/2007 Wildland Firefighter Training Announcement: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources will be having the last of the Spring 2007 Pack Tests Friday and Saturday May 4th and 5th. Please click here for the official training announcement (word document). The announcement also references several Health Screening forms. The Health Screening form (word document) we should all be familiar with and the Medical Release form (Adobe PDF document) required if you answer yes to any of the questions in the Health Screening questionnaire.

5/03/2007 Fire Activity: NIFC (the National Interagency Fire Center) has raised its preparedness level from I to II this week due to increased fire activity. To learn more about Preparedness levels Click here.

3/29/2007 For crew members interested in crew t-shirts and sweatshirts, Kia is working on creating a new one for 2007 this time incorporating the Maryland Interagency Logo created a few years ago. Be sure to check out this link for ordering information (WORD document).

3/26/2007 MAFFC Sponsored Training: The Mid-Atlantic Forest Fire Compact in conjunction with West Virginia University Division of Forestry & Natural Resources, Morgantown, WV is presenting a wildfire training academy. The Academy will offer courses that are basic to anyone interested in wildfire fighting. Click here for a link to the complete announcement (Word Document) including contact information concerning Volunteer Fire Assistance grants being offered by the Maryland DNR Forest Service in relation to this training.

3/24/2007 Maryland DNR Website update: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources has updated its wildfire website giving it a new fresh look and providing lots of great information. Click here for a link to the new Maryland DNR Wildfire website.

3/21/2007 Wildland Firefighter Training Announcement: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources has posted the information and registration forms for this years Fire Camp. Click here for a link to the official registration form and here for the official information form. Camp will be held from Saturday May 19th through Sunday May 20th this year. The deadline for registration is May 2nd. Questions should be directed to your Regional Fire Manager.

3/14/2007 Hickey School Proposal: NorthEast Booster.Com reports that the Maryland State Department of Natural Resources has proposed utilizing the grounds of the Hickey School Property in Towson as a potential park for either a forestry environmental education area or a wildfire academy. Click here for a link to the entire article.

3/1/2007 Wildland Firefighter Training Announcement: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources has announced the Pack Test and Refresher training for all regions. Please click here for the official training announcement (word document). The announcement also references several Health Screening forms. The Health Screening form (word document) we should all be familiar with and the Medical Release form (Adobe PDF document) required if you answer yes to any of the questions in the Health Screening questionnaire.

2/19/2007 Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Wildfire: From AP reports "CAMBRIDGE - Nearly 400 acres of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge suffered fire damage when a prescribed burn exceeded its boundary, according to fire management officers. The Bull Point Fire began last Saturday (2/10/07) on private property west and south of Bull Point but winds moved the fire east and northeast into Bull Point, BNWR Fire Management Officer Joe Krish said."

2/2/2007 New Wildland Firefighter Training Announcement: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources has posted the training announcement and schedule for new firefighters requiring the S130 – Wildland Firefighter, S190 – Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, L180-Human Factors on the Fireline, and I100 – Introduction to ICS training. This basic training is one of several requirements all new wildland firefighters must complete. Training will be the week of April 23rd. Click Here for a link to the official announcement and details (word document)

1/26/2007 VDOF training: The Virginia Department of Forestry has announced the dates for its May 2007 Interagency Wildland Fire Training Academy as May 7th through May 12th. Click here for a link to more information.

1/21/2007 Fire Camp 2007: There will be a fire camp held this Spring in May 2007. The tentative dates are May 19th and 20th. As soon as details are released we will post them here at MarylandWildfire.com

11/4/2006 Americorp Graduation: The Americorp graduation at Perry Point is scheduled for this Thurs, Nov 9th at 10 a.m. Americorp has had members join the Maryland Wildfire crew for each of the last several years and they are also very active in participating in area RX burns. Feel free to stop by and support your fellow firefighters from Americorp at their graduation!

10/31/2006 MDS#4: Last call for pictures from MDS#4. Construction on the photo album will start in the next week. Thank you to everyone who has submitted pictures this fall from all the MDS crews! There were so many pictures submitted it was really tough just to pick a few to post to the photo albums. Pictures from the Potato, South Fork, and Turtle Lake fires are complete and available for viewing on the Photo Album page.

10/3/2006 Notes concerning MDS#2 Potato Fire: If anyone would like to order shirts for the Potato/Zane fire they are now available, click here for more information. Also, the photoalbum is now under construction and should be completed shortly, be sure to check it out! Thanks to everyone who sent in pictures.

9/29/2006 Training Announcement: The Eastern Region has announced that it will be conducting S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaw Training in mid November. Registration deadline is Nov. 1. For additional information click here (WORD doc).

9/21/2006 MDS#4: MDS#4 is traveling back to the RattleSnake Complex today and will start return travel home tomorrow. Welcome back everyone! Be sure to send in your pictures so they can be posted in the photoalbum.

9/18/2006 MDS#4: MDS#4 has been reassigned to the Boundary Complex. For more information, click here. The crew is taking down structure protection and the fire is scheduled to start wrapping up on 9/20/2006. No word on their next assignment yet. Fire behavior in the area has moderated with the snow that fell last weekend and with the cooler temperatures that have been experienced.

9/18/2006 Other News: The Turtle Lake WFU fire photo album is complete. Thank you to all who sent in pictures. We are still looking for more pictures from MDS#2 and MDS#3. The photo albums for the Potato Fire and South Fork Complex will be started in just a few weeks. E-mail the webmaster for details on how to best submit your photos.

9/15/2006 MDS#4: MDS#4 departed today from the Cuddy Complex after spending several days spiked out. They are now heading to the Red Mountain Fire also in Idaho. For more information, click here.

9/9/2006 MDS#4: MDS#4 departed this evening at 6:00 PM from Harrisburg heading to Idaho to the Cuddy Complex in the Payette National Forest. Click here for yesterday's news release on the complex. For ongoing updates on the Cuddy Complex, click here.

9/8/2006 MDS#4: Maryland is mobilizing its fourth crew of the year, Saturday Sept 9th. Currently the crew, MDS#4, is scheduled to go to Idaho to the Cinder Fire in the Payette National Forest as part of a module of Eastern Area crews. No schedule yet on when they will be departing from Harrisburg. Brian S. and Shannon W. will be the Crew Boss and Crew Rep. More info will be posted as soon as it is available.

9/6/2006 MDS#4: MDS#4 is now listed as available for deployment (MarylandWildfire.com will post an update if they are deployed). Minnesota fire activity has also increased over the past several days. For more information and the status of resources including available crews in the Eastern Area Click here.

9/6/2006 For crew members interested in the blue crew t-shirts that Kia worked on creating for the crew last season be sure to check out this link for ordering information (WORD document). For a picture of the actual shirt click here for the Front and here for the Back. All orders are due into Kia by Sept 30th.

8/30/2006 MDS#3: MDS#3 will be returning by weeks end after spending two weeks at the South Fork Complex in Idaho. Welcome back everyone! Be sure to send in your pictures so they can be posted in the photoalbum.

8/22/2006 MDS#2: MDS#2 has returned after spending two weeks at the Potato Fire in Idaho. Welcome back everyone! Be sure to send in your pictures so they can be posted in the photoalbum.

8/20/2006 MDS#3: Members from MDS#3 continue to check in from the South Fork Complex and have passed along that they continue to be staged at base camp for initial attack. Spirits remain high and the crew is in very good spirits. Click here for link to pictures sent in from Ranger Rick this evening from fire camp (gotta love technology). As additional pictures are sent in, this link will be updated.

For crew members interested in the Blue Maryland Wildland Fire Crew Shirts, a link will be posted shortly after MDS#3 returns on who to contact and how to order them.

8/18/2006 MDS#3: Ranger Rick on MDS#3 called in this evening from the South Fork Complex near McCall, Idaho. The crew, which was split up yesterday, was reunited today after the squad which had spent the night spiked out on a remote 1/10th acre fire returned. The crew is currently staged at the main camp for initial attack.

8/17/2006 MDS#3: Kia J. and John M. on MDS#3 called in today from the South Fork Complex near McCall, Idaho. The entire crew is doing well and is in good spirits under the leadership of Brian S. and Dan B.. The crew had spent the morning on initial attack and at the time of the call was being broken up into smaller groups and were being flown by helicopter to various small fires in the area to work on for the day.

8/14/2006 MDS#3: Maryland is sending its third crew of the year out this week. Currently the crew MDS#3 is scheduled to go to Elliston, Montana to the Mullen Pass Fire. As of this morning the fire was staffed with only one Type 2 crew. Check back and more info will be posted as soon as it is available.

*** UPDATE*** MDS#3 is now going to the South Fork Complex near McCall, ID. Crewmembers will be assemblying at Madonna at 2am on Tuesday. This complex is currently being commanded by Suwyn's Type 2 IC team. The complex is made of of 25 different fires. Daily updates can be found by clicking here or by clicking here.

8/6/2006 MDS#2: MDS#2 has arrived at the Potato Fire in Idaho and according to the daily Interagency Resource Representative Report (IARR) are building direct line. For more information about MDS#2 via the IARR report click here (pdf document).

8/3/2006 MDS#2: Maryland is sending its second crew of the year out Friday Aug 4th. Currently the crew MDS#2 is scheduled to go to Idaho to the Potato Fire. Chuck H. and Shannon W. will be the crew boss and crew rep respectively. For more information about the fire click here.

8/3/2006 Fire Activity: NIFC (the National Interagency Fire Center) has raised its preparedness level from IV to V this week due to increased fire activity. Five is the highest level of preparedness utilized. To learn more about Preparedness levels Click here.

8/3/2006 MDS#1: MDS#1 returned today from Minnesota after having spent 2 weeks working on the Turtle Lake Wildland Fire Use Fire. For more information about the Turtle Lake WFU click here (pdf document).

7/19/2006 Fire Activity: NIFC (the National Interagency Fire Center) has raised its preparedness level from III to IV this week due to increased fire activity. To learn more about Preparedness levels Click here.

7/18/2006 MDS #1: Maryland is sending its first crew of the year out to Minnesota Thursday morning. Keep track of them by clicking here. MDS #1 is most likely headed for the Cavity Lake Wildfire. A type 1 interagency management team commanded by Mike Lohrey has been ordered for the incident. Click here for the IMT's website.

7/15/2006 Eastern Area Status: The Great Lakes area is currently experiencing high fire danger and is also dealing with several large fires. For more information and the status of resources including available crews in the Eastern Area Click here.

6/27/2006 Fire Activity: Fire Activity out west has increased significantly over the past week. Please be sure to contact your regional fire manager to update your availability for the season as well as your contact information. Click here for regional fire manager phone numbers. Please note that firefighters in Central Region (Carroll, Montgomery, Howard, Cecil, Baltimore and Harford Counties) should contact the Southern Regional Fire Manager at (301) 579-6551 this season. Don't miss out; be sure that your regional fire manager has your updated dates of availability!

For the latest information on where the fires are be sure to check at the GACC (Geographic Area Coordination Center website by Clicking Here. This site links to the individual coordination centers for each region and are updated through the day with fire activity in their jurisdiction.

6/16/2006 Fire Activity: NIFC (the National Interagency Fire Center) has raised its preparedness level from II to III this week due to increased fire activity. This is a month earlier then it was raised from a II to a III last summer. To learn more about Preparedness levels Click here.

6/10/2006 Wildland Firefighter Western Great Basin Safety Alert: The United States Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management in Nevada has issued a Safety alert of concern for all Wildland Firefighters in the Western Great Basin area. It is not uncommon for the Maryland Wildland Fire Crew to be dispatched to areas within this region. Click here for the official WGBCC announcement (adobe pdf download) An additional warning has been issued by the SWCC for other areas of the SouthWest Click here for the official SWCC announcement. (adobe pdf download)

5/5/2006 Wildland Firefighter Training Announcement: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources will be having the last of the Spring 2006 Pack Test and Refresher training Thursday and Saturday May 11th and 13th. Click here for the official Maryland DNR training announcement (adobe pdf download).

4/24/2006 State Wide Burn Ban: Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that as of 11:00 am Monday April 24, the statewide open air burning ban had been lifted in all counties. Click here for the official press release

4/20/2006 State Wide Burn Ban: Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that as of 2:00 pm April 18 the statewide open air burning ban had been lifted in 3 additional counties, though it remained in effect for a dozen Maryland counties. Click here for the official press release

4/11/2006 State Wide Burn Ban: Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that as of 2:00 pm April 10 the statewide open air burning ban had been lifted in select counties and Baltimore City. Click here for the official press release

4/4/2006 For crew members interested in the blue crew t-shirts that Kia worked on creating for the crew last season be sure to check out this link for ordering information (WORD document). For a picture of the actual shirt click here for the Front and here for the Back.

Southern Region: Thursday, April 27, 2006 at 0900 hours at the Cedarville State Forest and Saturday, April 29, 2006 at 0800 hours at the Cedarville State Forest. The Annual Refresher will begin right after the Pack Test on April 29th at 0930 hours in the Cedarville HQ conference room or a pavilion.

Central Region: Thursday, May 11, 2006 at 0900 hours at Harford Community College and Saturday, May 13, 2006 at 0800 hours at Harford Community College. The Annual Refresher will then start at 1000 hours at the Madonna Ranger Station right after the pack test on May 13th.

If anyone answers "yes" to any of the questions on the Health Screen Questionaire you must provide written permission from your doctor before taking the pack test. There is no Fire Camp this year. The Annual Refresher is mandatory, if you want to participate in Interagency Fire Assignments. Please contact John P. Fisher, Regional Fire Manager with any Questions at 301-579-6551.

 

2/22/2006 Eastern Shore Wildfires: The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service is reporting that it suspects arson is the cause of 6 of 19 wildfires (consuming 3,765 acres) in Dorchester County so far this year. Click here for a link to the official MD DNR Press Release.

2/20/2006 Crew members in the news: Governor Ehrlich Appoints First Civilian Rangers To Maryland Park Service And Recognizes Forestry Firefighters. Click here for a link to the official MD DNR Press Release.

2/20/2006 Wildland Firefighter Training Announcement: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources has announced the Western Region Training schedule for Spring 2006 including the Pack Test and Refresher training. Click here for more information from the Frederick County Wildland Fire Crew website.

11/29/2005 Fall Wildfire Season is here: The Fall wildfire season has began in both the Eastern and Southern Region. The latest significant fire being in nearby West Virginia. Firefighters from 3 Maryland counties assisted Click here for the whole story. Earlier this month, a 350 acre fire took the life of a firefighter in Virginia. Click here for an article on the incident.

10/17/2005 New Wildland Firefighter Training Announcement: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources has announced that it is offering S212 Wildland Fire Powersaws Training. Training will be held November 16th through November 18th at Martinak State Park - Nature Center in Denton Maryland. Registration deadline is November 7th. Click here for more information and the formal DNR announcement.

9/16/2005 New Wildland Firefighter Training Announcement: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources has announced that it is offering training for new firefighters requiring the S130 – Wildland Firefighter, S190 – Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, L180 Fireline Human Factors, and I100 – Introduction to ICS training. This basic training is one of several requirements all new wildland firefighters must complete. Training will be the week of Monday October 24th and will be held in La Plata, Maryland. For more information please contact John Fisher the Southern Regional Fire Manager at (301) 579-6551.

8/22/2005 MDS#1 Returns: MDS#1 has returned from the Camp 32 and Blackerby fires in Montana and Idaho. Some of the news links regarding their mobiliaztion. Baltimore Sun, WBAL News, and the MD DNR.

8/8/2005 MDS#1 Mobilized: Maryland has mobilized MDS#1, the first crew of the season to go out west. The type 2IA crew is scheduled to meet at Madonna Ranger Station at 7:00 a.m. on 8/9/2005 for a departure to the Camp 32 fire in Montana. The fire is being managed by the Bennett Type 1 Incident Management Team.

8/7/2005 Fire Activity: The EACC (Eastern Area Coordination Center) has mobilized several crews from West Virginia, Ohio, and Missouri to fight fires in Minnesota. Maryland is part of the Eastern Area. The largest fire in Minnesota on Sunday August 7th was the Alpine Lake Fire in Superior National Forest. It was 350 acres with no containment and a type 2 Incident Management Team assigned as of Sunday Morning.

7/19/2005 Fire Activity: NIFC (the National Interagency Fire Center) has raised its preparedness level from II to III due to increased fire activity. To learn more about Preparedness levels Click here.

6/21/2005 Good article this month on the FireWise Website entitled "Fire Brands and Long Duration Smoldering Fires: What is the Risk? How Should We Deal with Them?" By Rick Trembath. Worth taking the time to read as many crew assignments involve structure protection and using some of the techniques discussed. Click here for a link to the article.

6/20/2005 The Weather Channel will feature a Storm Stories on the California Wildfires of 2003 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday June 21st. Click here for Weather Channel Storm Stories Website. Also, there is a new program called Mega Fires & Battling Mega Fires. Schedule dates and times are: 6/22 (12-midnight and 9 pm), 6/23 (12-noon), 6/24 (7 pm), 6/25 (1 pm and 4 pm.) Eastern.

5/26/2005 For crew members interested in the blue crew t-shirts that Kia worked on creating for the crew last season be sure to check out this link for ordering information (WORD document). Kia is also following up on the orders taken at Fire Camp. For a picture of the actual shirt click here for the Front and here for the Back.

5/19/2005 A reminder that fire camp for Maryland Wildland Fire Crew members is this weekend, 5/21 and 5/22. Click here to view the Maryland DNR News Release.

5/4/2005 NIFC began updaing the National Incident Management Situation Report daily this week marking the start of the wildfire season. Click here to view the Adobe (PDF) document. A permanent link is also available on the Links page.

4/9/2005 General Training Announcement: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources has released the information and registration forms for this years Fire Camp. All new firefighters and firefighters not attending last years Fire Camp must attend camp this year in order to be certified for the upcoming fire season. Click Here for a link to the registration form and Here for the information form. Camp will be held from Friday May 20th through Sunday May 22nd this year. The deadline for registration is May 6th. Questions should be directed to your Regional Fire Manager.

3/12/2005 AD Rate Announcement: For those of you on the crew that are volunteers that get paid under the AD rate system it has been announced that the 2004 rates will remain in affect for 2005. This is significant because the proposed 2005 rate schedule would have meant pay cuts for many of the AD rates used for Wildland Firefighters. This means that the AD rate for FFT1 (Squad Boss) will remain at $12.84 an hour and FFT2 (Crewmember) will remain $11.68 an hour. More information can be viewed by Clicking Here for the AD Firefighter Association Website.

2/12/2005 General Training Announcement: The Western and Eastern Regions have set dates for S-130 Wildland Firefighter, S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, and I-100 Introduction to ICS training courses. Western Region is holding training February 11th, 12th, 25th, and 26st. Eastern Region April 11th through the 15th. These courses are one of the steps to becoming certified to join the Maryland Wildland Fire Crew. Details of this training along with the Central Region training described below can be viewed by Clicking Here (Adobe PDF Document).

1/22/2005 Central Region Training Announcement: The Central Region has set the dates for the annual refresher training for existing crew members as well as S130/S190 training for new firefighters. Details have been mailed to all Central Region crew members. Questions should be directed toward George Rockey the Regional Fire Manager for the Central Region at (410) 836-4563.

1/22/2005 General Training Announcement: The date for the annual fire camp has been set for May 21st and May 22nd at the Broad Creek Boy Scout Camp in Harford County. All new crew members as well as crew members who didn't attend last years camp must attend camp this year. More Details to come. Questions should be directed to your Regional Fire Manager.

1/21/2005 Central Region Training Announcement: The Central Region has set the dates for the required yearly work capacity or pack fitness test for Central Region Crew Members. The requirements are the same as in past years, crew members must walk 3 miles in 45 minutes or less with a 45 lb pack. Testing will be held on consecutive Saturdays, April 23rd and April 30th at 9:00 a.m. at the Harford Community College track. Questions should be directed toward George Rockey the Regional Fire Manager for the Central Region at (410) 836-4563.

1/8/2005 MPT Maryland Public Television is running the show Violent Planet, an hour special on how plants and animals react to fire disasters including wildfires. It airs Thursday January 13th at 9:00 pm.

12/15/2004 There have been some crew members asking about the blue crew t-shirts that Kia worked on creating for the crew this season. If you are interested in ordering, Click here for the ordering information (WORD document). If you want to see a picture of the actual shirt click here for the Front and here for the Back.

12/4/2004 Wildfire Mitigation in Maryland: A nice article about wildfire mitigation work being conducted in Frederick County recently appeared Gazette.net website. Click here to check it out.

9/15/2004 New Wildland Firefighter Training Announcement: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources has posted the training announcement and schedule for new firefighters requiring the S130 – Wildland Firefighter, S190 – Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, and I100 – Introduction to ICS training. This basic training is one of several requirements all new wildland firefighters must complete. Training will be the week of September 27th. Click Here for a link to the official announcement and details.

9/13/2004 Firefighter fatality: Seven CDF firefighters were involved in a burnover Sunday afternoon on the Tuolumne Fire in the Stanislaus National Forest in California. One firefighter was killed. Click here for the CDF information page.

9/4/2004 Hurricane Frances: NIFC (the National Interagency Fire Center) has assigned 6 type one Incident Management teams to Florida as well as an Area Command Team. One team is already in Florida while the remaining 5 teams are staged at FEMA in Georgia. Look for crews to be ordered and committed once the teams arrive in Florida.

9/2/2004 Fire Activity: NIFC (the National Interagency Fire Center) this week lowered its preparedness level from III to II due to decreased fire activity. To learn more about Preparedness levels Click here.

8/19/2004 MDS#1 update: According to the IARR report, MDS#1 is staged for initial attack at Eldorado National Forest, Pacific Ranger District. Click here for a link to Eldorado National Forest Fire & Aviation webpage.

8/18/2004 MDS#1 update: In case you missed the News reports, here are some links. WJZ has a report including a video clip and interviews with some faces I'm sure many crewmembers will recognize. Also, the Baltimore Sun had an article today.... free registration with baltimoresun.com is required.

8/17/2004 MDS#1 update: MDS#1 met with 4 other Eastern Area crews today in Harrisburg forming a module and flew out to California along with our very own Monty who will be the IARR. Maryland has also sent single resources to other parts of the west this week. No word yet on whether the crew will be staged in Redding or assigned to the French Fire or another fire in the area. Be sure to check the IARR reports on the crew status when they become available.

8/16/2004 MDS#1 to head out west: Maryland is set to send out its first crew of the season on Tuesday Aug 17th. Reports indicate that the crew will be initially heading to California to the French Gulch Fire (incident info) near Redding CA. The report has made the AP wire, click here to view the AP wire story or via WBAL here . Of course should their destination change, MarylandWildfire.com will do its best to keep track of MDS#1 for everyone.

7/24/2004 Warren Daywalt: Today we lost a long time crew member and friend Warren Daywalt. Warren passed away today at home with his family after a year long battle with cancer. Please see the Bulletin Board page for more details.

7/23/2004 Close Call?: On July 16nd there was an incident on the Cabin Creek Fire in the Salmon-Challis National Forest that involved a 20 person hand crew that sounds like a near miss. For those of you on the crew that was assigned to the Black Frog Complex last summer may note that this fire is in the same forest. For the story from headwartersnews.org, Click here.

7/13/2004 Fire Shelter Deployment: On July 2nd there was an incident on the Nuttall Fire in Arizona involving 12 firefighters, 11 of which deployed their fire shelters. The After Action Review is now available. Click hear for a link to the AAR in PDF Adobe. For information on the Nuttall Fire, Click here.

7/4/2004 Fire Shelter Deployment: On July 2nd there was an incident on the Nuttall Fire in Arizona involving 12 firefighters, 11 of which deployed their fire shelters. For Deployment details Click here. For information on the Nuttall Fire, Click here.

7/1/2004 Fire Activity: NIFC (the National Interagency Fire Center) has raised its preparedness level from II to III due to increased fire activity. To learn more about Preparedness levels Click here.

6/28/2004 Fire Activity: If you haven't seen the increased activity the last few days, you might want to take note of the increased fire activity in the SouthWest. Click here for a link to the SouthWest Area Fire Information Webpage.

6/09/2004 Crew listing: Crew members: Don't forget to contact your Regional Fire Manger about your availability to participate on the crew this summer. Without your information, the Fire Managers don't know who is available and when, preventing them from listing crews as available. Don't let all that training go idle, list yourself as available today!

6/02/2004 New Maryland Wildland Fire T-Shirt design: Attention all crew members in need of a new fire crew t-shirt. A new crew shirt has been designed by one of our very own crew members and is being made available to all interested crew members. Click Here to view a mock up of the new design. Click Here for T-Shirt ordering information.

5/23/2004 Maryland Wildland Fire Crew Patch/Stickers: The Maryland Wildland Fire Crew Patch and weather proof decals are now available to crew members. Now you can let everyone know that you are a proud member of the Maryland Wildland Fire Crew. A great addition to your pack and helmet. Click Here for Patch/Sticker ordering information.Click Here to view a picture of one of the new patches.

5/12/2004 National News Announcement: Earlier this week the Federal Government canceled the contracts for 33 large fixed wing air tankers in response to an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). This essentially removes all large nonmilitary air tankers outside of California from the firefighting arsenal which could affect the firefighting tactics we see this season. To find out more information, Click Here for a link to the official posting.

4/16/2004 Wildland Firefighter Training Announcement: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources has posted the information and registration forms for this years Fire Camp. All new firefighters and firefighters not attending last years Fire Camp must attend camp this year in order to be certified for the upcoming fire season. Click Here for a link to the official registration form and Here for the official information form. Camp will be held from Friday May 21st through Sunday May 23rd this year. The deadline for registration is May 10th. Questions should be directed to your Regional Fire Manager.

3/9/2004 The Maryland DNR Forest Service Fire Management Staff has announced openings for four seasonal wildland firefighter positions. Positions are seasonal 13-week contract positions to assist in wildland fire operations for the spring fire season (March - June). Click Here for the official announcement and details (In Adobe PDF).

2/22/2004 New Wildland Firefighter Training Announcement: The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources has posted the training announcement and schedule for new firefighters requiring the S130 – Wildland Firefighter, S190 – Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, and I100 – Introduction to ICS training. This basic training is one of several requirements all new wildland firefighters must complete. Click Here for a link to the official announcement and details.

2/14/2004 Central Region Training Announcement: The Central Region has set the dates for the required yearly work capacity or pack fitness test for Central Region Crew Members. The requirements are the same as in past years, crew members must walk 3 miles in 45 minutes or less with a 45 lb pack. Testing will be held on consecutive Saturdays, April 17th and April 24th at 9:00 a.m. at the Harford Community College track. Questions should be directed toward George Rockey the Regional Fire Manager for the Central Region at (410) 836-4563.

2/13/2004 General Training Announcement: The date for the annual fire camp has been set for May 22nd and 23rd. All new crew members as well as crew members who didn't attend last years camp must attend camp this year. More Details to come. Questions should be directed to your Regional Fire Manager.

2/4/2004 The webmaster would like to thank everyone who has helped get this website off the ground by providing news updates and pictures for the Photo Album and News page. Without contributions from Crew Members, this site wouldn't be what it is today. Please keep sending in pictures and announcements and keep checking back for updates. Additional updates to the Photo Album and News page are made on a regular basis!

1/12/2004 Central Region Training Announcement: The Central Region has set the dates for the required yearly 8 hour refresher course that fulfills the Federal Requirement. Details are in the mail to members of the Fire Crew in the Central Region and should arrive shortly. The dates for the annual Pack Fitness Test have not yet been set. Questions should be directed toward George Rockey the Regional Fire Manager for the Central Region at (410) 836-4563.

1-1-2004 Maryland Wildfire Exhibit: Those of you in Annapolis or visiting Annapolis in the near future may wish to stop by and vist the Maryland Wildland Firefighting exhibit on display in the lobby of the Tawes building directly across from the Navy Marine Corps Stadium (the corner of Rowe Blvd & Taylor Ave). The exhibit will be up from January 5th until January 30th.

12-9-2003 Southern Region Training Announcement (MS WORD File): The Southern Region of the Maryland State DNR Forest Service has announced its 2004 Wildland Firefighter I S130/S190 training schedule. The 40 hour course will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings starting February 3rd and end with a final Saturday training session on Saturday March 6th.

12-3-2003 New Patch Proposed: A design for a Maryland Wildfire Crew Patch has been proposed. Take a look and e-mail the webmaster on what you think about it. The webmaster will be happy to pass along any feedback to the original designer and will post a follow-up if the design is adopted..

12-2-2003 Logo Artist Sought: The logo you see throughout this website was drawn by a now forgotten artist. As best as anyone has been able to inform the webmaster, it was designed by a crew member in the mid to late 1980s while on a fire in California. It has been used by the crew ever since. If you know who drew the original artwork for the crew's logo, please e-mail the webmaster so credit can be given where credit is due.

12-2-2003 Summer Of Fire 2003 Life As A Pulaski Swinger: Written by Will Williams a Crew Boss and long time crew member of the Maryland Wildland Fire Crew. Will is also an education specialist with the Maryland State DNR Forest Service.

11-25-2003 Soldiers Delight Natural Environmental Area Prescribed Burn: The Baltimore Sun via Sunspot.net is reporting that on November 24th, a prescribed burn was conducted at the Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area in Owings Mills. Various agencies participated in the burn which was lead by Bill Giese Jr. of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. This year was the first time in the past four that conditions have been right to conduct this burn.

***Please note that not all links to outside websites may be valid any longer on the Archived News Page***