File photo. Members of the Army’s Task Force First Round are briefed on the layout of the Incident Command Post after arriving at the Tower Fire, near Newport, Washington August 22, 2015. The 200 soldiers along with support personnel underwent fire suppression training prior to traveling from their home at Joint Base Lewis-McChord to assist in containing the blaze. The last use of active duty soldiers for firefighting duty in the United States was in 2018. Wildfire Today has articles about mobilizations in 2008, 2015, 2017, and 2018..
At the request of the National Interagency Fire Center and in support of the U.S. Forest Service, approximately 250 Marines and sailors will assist wildland firefighting efforts in Central California. The National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC), comprised of state and federal wildland fire managers at NIFC, requested the personnel, along with command and support staff, from the Department of Defense (DOD).
The Marine unit from Camp Pendleton, California will receive wildland firefighting training before assisting with response efforts in Central California.
In late August 200 active duty U.S. Army personnel were mobilized to help battle the blazes.
Wildfire Today has articles about other mobilizations of the military in 2008, 2015, 2017, and 2018.
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After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.
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2 thoughts on “An additional 250 active duty military personnel assigned to fire suppression duty”
Reminds me of being at Port Hueneme Seabee base in 1957. Just finished equipment operators school and was awaiting assignment. Fire broke out east of Ventura and they sent about 150 of us up to the line for about a week. Interesting assignment and broke the monotony of mess cooking and fire watches which are military favorites when you’re waiting for further orders
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Robert, I believe I found the (no name) fire you were assigned to. If you search “1957 Press Photo Smoke Rises From Deadly And Costly Ventura County Fire” there’s a poor quality night photo, but it has a typed label that describes a 20,000 acre fire with a 22-mile perimeter the length of Ventura County. 1 man died, 3 firefighters hospitalized, and 400 treated for “minor burns and smoked eyes on the scene”; you may have been one of them! From a retired firefighter, a belated thank-you!
Reminds me of being at Port Hueneme Seabee base in 1957. Just finished equipment operators school and was awaiting assignment. Fire broke out east of Ventura and they sent about 150 of us up to the line for about a week. Interesting assignment and broke the monotony of mess cooking and fire watches which are military favorites when you’re waiting for further orders
Robert, I believe I found the (no name) fire you were assigned to. If you search “1957 Press Photo Smoke Rises From Deadly And Costly Ventura County Fire” there’s a poor quality night photo, but it has a typed label that describes a 20,000 acre fire with a 22-mile perimeter the length of Ventura County. 1 man died, 3 firefighters hospitalized, and 400 treated for “minor burns and smoked eyes on the scene”; you may have been one of them! From a retired firefighter, a belated thank-you!