Fighting Wildfires: On Nov. 3, DEC welcomed back the State’s fourth team of volunteer wildland firefighters from the Divisions of Forest Protection, Lands and Forests, and Fish and Wildlife that were deployed to help battle and contain wildfires raging in western states.

The crew flew to Denver, Colorado, on Oct. 17 for deployment from the Rocky Mountain Coordination Center and were initially assigned to the Cameron Peak fire for nighttime operations, patrol, and structure defense. Their second assignment was at the East Troublesome fire for daytime operations.

The crew was reassigned to Cameron Peak due to sub-freezing temperatures and heavy snow.

The returning crew includes a DEC Forest Ranger crew boss and nine firefighters:

• Scott Jackson, Forest Ranger, Crew Boss, Oswego County
• Mark Brand, Forest Ranger, Ulster County
• James Canevari, DEC Division of Fish and Wildlife, St. Lawrence County
• Aaron Graves, DEC Division of Lands and Forest, St. Lawrence County
• Tyler Kulikowski – DEC Division of Lands and Forest, Steuben County
• Kramer Kwaczala – DEC Division of Lands and Forest, Albany County
• Gary Miller, Forest Ranger, Hamilton County
• Tyler Mitchell, Forest Ranger, Schenectady County
• Joseph Nelson – DEC Division of Fish and Wildlife, Otsego County
• Arthur Perryman, Forest Ranger, Warren County

At top: Wildland firefighting techniques used in Colorado over the last two weeks. Above: DEC Commissioner Seggos (right) welcomed back the latest firefighting crew upon their return on Nov. 3. DEC photos.