New York forest ranger deployed to help battle Oregon Bootleg Fire

NEW YORK (WWTI) — New York is continuing to assist western states with wildfire control efforts.

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced over the weekend that a DEC Forest Ranger and expert wildland firefighter has been deployed to assist with efforts to contain the Bootleg Fire in Oregon. Seggos says this is the first wildfire deployment of the year.

"This is DEC’s first wildland firefighting deployment after 2020’s busy fire season,” Seggos said. “As climate change continues to drive wildfires that threaten communities throughout the West, New York State stands ready to assist our fellow states with expertise that our firefighters then bring back home to help with future emergency responses."

This DEC Forest Ranger will now join a crew of federal, state, and local fire agencies battling the Bootleg Fire in the Fremont-Winema region of Oregon. Annually, the DEC sends forest rangers and experts to assist in fire control efforts across the country.

All personnel and travel expenses for the New York crews are either paid directly by the U.S. Forest Service or reimbursed to New York State based on a mutual aid agreement between states and federal land agencies.