Fairbanks, Alaska — The Alaska Interagency Coordination Center (AICC) reports that five Emergency Firefighter (EFF) crews depart Alaska on Aug. 26 for fire assignment in northern California. Another five crews are scheduled to depart on Aug. 29. This mobilization is in response to extreme fire activity in the Lower-48.

The crews scheduled to depart on Aug. 26 include: BLM Alaska Fire Service‘s Koyukuk, Ruby and St. Mary’s and the State Division of Forestry’s Upper Kalskag and Chevak #1. BLM Alaska Fire Service‘s Allakaket #2, Huslia and Hughes and the State Division of Forestry’s Nondalton #1 and Shageluk are scheduled to depart on Aug. 29.

The very active 2013 Alaska fire season that burned over 1.3 million acres among the 593 fires is coming to a close. Interagency fire managers have determined that resources in the state can be made available to fight fires in the Lower-48. Fire activity in other states is extremely high and the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC) increased the national Preparedness Level to the highest level, PL-5. Currently California, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Utah are very busy with large fires. The national situation report from Aug. 24 showed 317 new fires.

Other Alaskan crews, individual firefighters and support overhead are available for assignment. 21 smokejumpers and multiple aircraft have recently departed for the Lower-48. The Emergency Firefighter crew rotation list is available at https://fire.ak.blm.gov/logdisp/crews.php.

For more information contact the Fire Information Office at 356-5511.