MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) shared today that Fire Control program staff have been mobilized across the western U.S. and Canada to combat increased wildfire activity and assist in suppression and protection efforts.
Wisconsin has been busy mobilizing resources, including personnel and engines, to over 65 out-of-state fire assignments so far in 2025. DNR staff have been mobilized to 12 different states and provinces, including 20 individuals supporting the ongoing suppression efforts in Canada.
Three wildland fire engines are currently stationed in Oregon, packaged as part of a larger task force responding to various longer-duration fires, allowing local resources to focus on responding to emerging fires. Six DNR staff are in northern Manitoba, serving in overhead support roles as well as a few assigned to a multi-state agency hand crew. Another DNR engine is responding to fires in northern California.
Personnel and fire suppression equipment are allocated to these fires through mutual aid agreements outlined by federal firefighting agencies and the Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact, which is comprised of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota as well as Manitoba and Ontario, Canada. The Compact’s main goal is to promote resource sharing throughout the Great Lakes region, including personnel, equipment, information, training and technology.
A newly formalized and nationally accredited Wisconsin DNR Incident Management Team (IMT Type 3) is also on standby for western fire support. The team has 10 core positions and can be mobilized to assist a local agency by providing a structured approach to incident response, resource allocation and communication.
Requests for wildland fire support from other agencies are not uncommon. On average, the DNR sends an estimated 60 personnel and equipment annually to support out-of-state fire assignments across the U.S. and Canada. In the past, the DNR has also brought in out-of-state resources to help fight wildfires in Wisconsin during peak fire season.
The sharing of federal and provincial resources helps all agencies make more efficient use of available resources. Other added values of out-of-state fire assignments include increased training opportunities, leadership and the ability to gain outside experience that can be brought home to enhance Wisconsin’s fire management programs.
The DNR assesses the state’s priorities before committing out-of-state resources. With recent widespread rain and green vegetation across the state, wildfire activity has subsided, and there is a minimal fire risk here in Wisconsin. This has allowed the DNR to shift focus and help support national wildfire efforts.
Nearly 70 active large-scale wildfires are burning over a million acres in the U.S. alone. Much of this wildfire activity is occurring in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona and California and is related to dry lightning strikes in dense wooded areas with remote access.
The Wisconsin firefighters and engines are slated to be on assignment for two weeks or until the fire severity subsides. Several more Wisconsin resources have been made available and could be assigned to fires in the coming weeks. The DNR anticipates additional mobilizations over the coming weeks as the western fire situation increases and local resources are depleted.
