The State of Alaska sent a strike team of four Type 6 firefighting engines and personnel from Kenai, Mat-Su, Delta, and Fairbanks Areas to the Pacific Northwest region in support of Northwest Compact member states.
The Northwest Fire Fighting Compact (NW Compact) is one of eight forest fire fighting compacts operating across North America. The NW Compact was created to facilitate assistance in wildland fire pre-suppression and suppression between the U.S. States of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana as well as the Canadian Provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories. In 2024, Hawaii joined the NW Compact as the newest member. Within each compact, fire fighting resources and personnel can be deployed efficiently and quickly to suppress wildfires.
The AK Engine Strike Team traveled by barge to Tacoma, Washington and moved to preposition in Grants Pass, Oregon. Shortly after arriving in Oregon, the region received a significant amount of lightning and new fire starts. The Pacific Northwest currently has 28 large fires, over 1 million acres burned, and is in Planning Level 5. The AK Engine strike team supported Oregon Department of Forestry suppression efforts on the Indian Hollow Fire and the Wildhorse Fire in the Parrish Creek Complex outside of Spray, Oregon.
“The Pacific Northwest is having a record-breaking fire season,” said Interagency Resource Representative to NW Compact, Torrey Short, “Alaskan resources will continue to support their Northwest Compact partners in the lower 48 throughout their season as they supported us on Alaska’s fires.”
The AK Engine Strike Team is currently moving to work on the Lone Rock Fire, north of the Parrish Creek Complex in Oregon.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, Northwest Compact
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 