Maryland Wildfire Crew Heads to Northern Rockies

Team Battling Tenmile Fire in Montana

Members of MDS #2

Maryland has assembled and mobilized its second crew of wildland firefighters to battle raging wildfires in the Western United States, as part of a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

Maryland State (MDS) #2 has been dispatched to battle the Tenmile Fire, which is burning about 372 acres (zero percent contained) in the Kootenai National Forest in Northwest Montana.

The 20-person crew arrived today in Missoula, Montana.

MDS #2 consists of 14 representatives from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, including seven full-time and seven seasonal employees from the Maryland Forest Service, Maryland Park Service and Wildlife and Heritage Service. They join an additional 160 people assigned to the Tenmile Fire for a 14-day tour.

Maryland has participated in mobilizing certified, equipped and fully-trained wildland firefighters since 1974.