BLM transfers wildland fire engine and boat to local fire department

The Bureau of Land Management Arizona (BLM) recently transferred wildland fire equipment to one of its rural wildland firefighting partners in Yuma County. The BLM Arizona’s Colorado River District transferred a type 6 wildland firefighting engine and boat to the Martinez Lake Fire Department to support the local response to wildfire in Yuma County.   

BLM Arizona’s Yuma Field Office Assistant Field Manager, Ray Castro, joined Colorado River District Fire Management Officer RobRoy Williams in presenting the keys to Martinez Lake Fire Department Chief Jodi Little and Fire District President Charley Bush on June 7, 2023.   

Bush said, “On behalf of the department and residents of Martinez Lake, thank you! This engine will be a great addition and will help enhance our firefighting capabilities and provide better service for our area.” 

The engine and boat were made available to Martinez Lake Fire Department under the BLM’s Rural Fire Readiness (RFR) program, which provides equipment to qualifying departments that cooperate with BLM and assist with fire response on public lands. Community partnerships between the BLM and local fire departments are crucial to wildfire response on private, state, and federal lands affecting grazing, recreation, wildlife, and other values important to local economies.  

The RFR program serves as a mechanism to transfer BLM firefighting equipment and provide funding to partners to increase safety and reduce suppression response times. These equipment transfers enhance our already strong cooperative working relationship, as it brings more fire resources to the fight regardless of jurisdiction.  

The BLM accepts RFR applications from local fire departments for available vehicles, equipment, and supplies, and transfers excess items to local fire departments in the months ahead of the next fire season. 

For more information on the RFR program, contact your local BLM office and visit the BLM Rural Fire Readiness webpage at: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/rural-fire-readiness-program