BLM Fire and Aviation dials in support for local agencies
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CRAIG, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Northwest District Fire and Aviation is donating 63 radios to local fire protection districts to help improve communications between local, state, and federal firefighting agencies.
The recent hot and windy conditions, coupled with several days of Red Flag Warnings have put fire official on high alert.
“Communicating with multiple agencies who respond to a wildland fire incident is essential,” said BLM Fire Management Specialist Brandon Voegtle. “Firefighters carry different radios depending on who they work for, and the radios that are being donated will allow city and county firefighters to communicate with BLM, National Park Service, and Forest Service firefighters during cooperative wildfire response as well as providing non-federal firefighters the ability to talk with suppression aircraft during wildland fire incidents.
Fire Protection districts receiving radios include Moffat County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Lake Fire Department, West Routt Fire Protection District, Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Artesia Fire Protection District, and Rangely Fire Protection District.
The Northwest District BLM is committed to improving coordination with local fire protection districts. Increasing the collaboration of multiple firefighting organizations helps make fire suppression efforts safe and efficient.
For more information on Red Flag Warnings and local fire restrictions, visit the Craig Interagency Dispatch Center webpage at https://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/dispatch_centers/r2crc/information/fire_information.htm.
The BLM manages more than 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.