USWFS excessed two wildland fire engines to county volunteer fire departments
Winnemucca, Nev. — On April 17, 2026, the United State Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) Winnemucca and Battle Mountain Unit excessed two, wildland fire engines. Grass Valley VFD in Pershing County received a Type 3 engine and McDermitt VFD in Humboldt County received a Type 4 engine. These were handed over at the main Interior Office in Winnemucca.
USWFS Fire Management Officers (FMO), Donovan Walker (Winnemucca Unit) and Chad Holbert (Battle Mountain Unit) have worked very closely with both VFD’s to arrange this transfer and expect this to boost their resources and wildland fire fighting abilities. The VFD Chiefs from both departments were on hand to receive the keys to their new equipment. The transfer included truck radios and a basic stocking of hose, fittings and wildland firefighting tools. The USWFS Great Basin Assistant Chief-Fire Operations (Nevada), Brock Uhlig, was also in attendance at the Winnemucca office for the hand-off of the engines.
“Sometimes the first resources on public land wildfires are our cooperating rural/volunteer fire departments. This equipment will also increase their capacity to respond to county and private land wildfires,” said USWFS Battle Mountain FMO, Chad Holbert.
Humboldt County Emergency Manager, Carol Lynn, was also present to support the engine transfer as was the Winnemucca District BLM Deputy District Manager Bradlee Matthews.
For more information, please contact DOI Public Affairs Specialist, Heather O’Hanlon, at [email protected].
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.