National Interagency Fire CenterAll Social Media
Contact Us
Toggle Font Size
      Toggle OpenDyslexic
      Toggle Dyslexia-friendly black-on-creme color scheme
      Contact Us
KeywordsFire InformationNational Wildland Firefighter DayNational Fire NewsNICCInternational SupportFor MediaFire PreventionHot TopicsWildfire PreventionWildfire Prevention VideosWildfire MitigationWildfire EducationWildfire InvestigationFor PAOsAdditional ResourcesPIO Bulletin BoardAgency InformationHot TopicsIncident Resources for PIOsInciWeb InformationPIO ContactsSocial Media for PIOsTraining and Qualifications for PIOsWorking with Media and PublicProducer’s Guide to FilmingMilitary Support HistoryInciWebMapsNews ReleasesMilitary aircraft equipped with MAFFS mobilized to assist with wildfire suppressionUS firefighters continue to support Canada during record-breaking wildfiresNIFC celebrates second annual National Wildland Firefighter DayU.S. supports Canada with aviation resourcesU.S. fire resources continue to support CanadaU.S. resources support Canadian wildfiresSituation ReportNICC ReportsArchivesStatisticsSuppression CostsHuman-caused wildfiresLightning-caused wildfiresUAS IncursionsWildfires and acresOur ResourcesFirefightersCrewsOverheadSmokejumpersIncident Management TeamsAircraftAirtankersHelicoptersTactical AircraftSmokejumper AircraftEquipmentDozersEnginesWater TendersCaterersShowersNational Interagency Incident Communications DivisionHotsheet NewsNIICD ContactsNIICD DocumentsAvionicsCommunication Duty OfficerEngineering and DevelopmentP25 Digital RadiosInfrared BranchPhoenix Capabilities and ProductsMaintenanceCommunications OperationsRework and SupplyTechnical TrainingSuppliesGreat Basin CacheAccountabilityCache DemobilizationCache VansContactsEmergency HiringFormsOrderingReturnsMobilizationNICCNational Mobilization GuideTaking Care of Our OwnEmployee Assistance ProgramCritical Incident Stress ManagementManager’s ToolkitPeer Support RecruitmentRequest SupportSuicide PreventionStandardsRed BookBIA Preparedness ReviewsBLM Preparedness ReviewsFWS Preparedness ReviewsNPS Preparedness ReviewsUSFS Preparedness ReviewsProgramsCasual Payment CenterPublicationsProceduresCPC FormsAD Pay PlansAgency MemosHiring DocumentsCPC LinksDo What's Right TrainingAll SectionsPOSH ModuleCourse MaterialsHow to Report Harassment and PoliciesDownloadsEqual Employment OpportunityInformation TechnologyInteragency Fire Program ManagementIFPM StandardHuman ResourcesFire ManagementAgency SpecificBIABLMFSFWSNPSArchivesContactsJoint Fire Science ProgramMedical StandardsNational Incident Management OrganizationNational Wildfire Coordinating GroupNICCPost Fire RecoveryRAWSSafetySmoke ManagementTrainingVeteransCareersHuman ResourcesHuman Resources ContactsBenefitseOPFEmployee RelationsEthicsFormsPermanent EmployeesTemporary EmployeesTransfer Employees (within BLM)Transfer Employees (within DOI)Transfer Employees (outside DOI)Jobs and Human ResourcesTeleworkOWCPPerformance ManagementRating ManagementRetirementSecurityManager’s CornerDOI Wildland Fire JobsUSAJOBSBLM Fire Jobs PortalWorking in Wildland Fire with NPSUSDA Forest Service Job OpportunitiesAbout UsWhat is NIFC?Great Basin CacheGreat Basin SmokejumpersNICCRadio CacheRAWSReturns WarehouseWildland Firefighters MonumentNIFC CampusCampus TourHow Do I?Our PartnersBIABLMRecruitment ToolkitPodcastsBLM Aviation ProgramAdministrationAerial SupervisionAirspaceHelicoptersLibrarySafetySEATsSecuritySmokejumper AircraftTrainingUASBLM Aviation Support PositionsBLM CrewsBonneville HotshotsChena HotshotsCraig HotshotsDiamond Mountain HotshotsJackson HotshotsKern Valley HotshotsLakeview HotshotsMidnight Sun HotshotsRuby Mountain HotshotsSnake River HotshotsVale HotshotsBillings Veterans CrewDevil's Canyon Veterans CrewFolsom Lake Veterans CrewMedford Crew 10Spokane Veterans CrewVegas Valley Veterans CrewBLM Engine CrewsBLM Fire ManagementBLM Fire Prevention and EducationBLM Fire SupportBLM Fire TrainingATV Drip TorchFire Vehicle TrainingFitness ChallengeHigh Reliability Organizing (HRO)Improving Radio DisciplineLeadership Self-Development and IDPsBLM DispatchersBLM Fire InvestigationBLM Fuels CrewsBLM Fuels Management ProgramBLM Fuels TreatmentsCommunity AssistanceBLM Helitack CrewsBLM Alaska SmokejumpersGreat Basin SmokejumpersInformationOperationsTrainingRecruitmentHistoryOperational Medical Support ProgramNPSNWSFWSUSFSUSFANASFDODNIFC HistoryWorking with  UsWildland Fire JobsPublic ParticipationSubmit New Innovative IdeasVolunteerContractingDonationsNIFC Help DeskTelephonesWirelessIQCS Help DeskHelp Desk LinksSocial MediaMedia Submission Home
                        Fire Information
                        News Releases
  NIFC mobilizes fire resources to provide support for Canadian wildfires
Resources mobilize to support wildfires in Canada.
                              Other News Releases
    
      Military aircraft equipped with MAFFS mobilized to assist with wildfire suppression
          US firefighters continue to support Canada during record-breaking wildfires
          NIFC celebrates second annual National Wildland Firefighter Day
          U.S. supports Canada with aviation resources
          U.S. fire resources continue to support Canada
          U.S. resources support Canadian wildfires

  **For Immediate Release:** May 12, 2023
         **Contact:** Jennifer Myslivy, jmyslivy@blm.gov, 208-789-6181

**NIFC mobilizes fire resources to provide support for Canadian wildfires**

**Boise, Idaho** - The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) is coordinating firefighting support to Canada by mobilizing wildland fire resources from several federal agencies. Due to above-normal fire activity in Canada, the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC), at NIFC, is working with wildland fire agencies to fill requests for two 15-person incident management teams, three interagency resource representatives, and 10 hand crews to assist with wildfire suppression efforts in Alberta.

The mobilization is possible through a formal arrangement between the U.S. and Canada that has been in place since 1982. This long-standing arrangement between Canada and the U.S. helps ensure the efficient sharing of firefighting resources during periods of peak fire activity. The last time NIFC facilitated international wildland fire assistance was in 2021, when two hand crews made up of approximately 40 firefighters and one leadership position, from Canada assisted with wildfires in the Pacific Northwest.

“We are fortunate to be in a position to help our neighbors to the North during this critical time,” said Jeff Arnberger, NMAC Chair. “Through our long-standing arrangement and excellent relationship, Canada has supported the United States in sharing firefighting personnel when we needed it the most. We are proud to answer their call for help and provide these much-needed resources.”

Wildland firefighters from the U.S. started traveling this week and are expected to arrive in Edmonton, Alberta over the weekend. Before heading out on the fire line, the U.S. personnel will receive a safety orientation that includes a rundown of the current wildfire situation, including weather conditions. The firefighters are expected to complete a two-week assignment in Canada, and then return to the U.S.

Canada currently has a National Preparedness Level (PL) of 4 and is experiencing “very high” wildfire activity. The U.S. is at PL 2, which is based on current commitments of resources to wildland and prescribed fires. Preparedness levels range from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest level.

What is a preparedness level?  Why does this change occur and who makes the decision? The NMAC, comprised of wildland fire representatives from each wildland fire agency based at NIFC, establishes PLs throughout the calendar year to ensure suppression resource availability for emerging incidents across the country. PLs are dictated by fuel and weather conditions, fire activity, and fire suppression resource availability throughout the country.

For information on National Preparedness Levels, please visit https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information.

For the most current information concerning the wildfires burning in Canada, please visit the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre webpage at https://ciffc.net/.
 Footer Logo
www.nifc.gov
National Interagency Fire Center
3833 S. Development Avenue
Boise, ID 83705-5354(208) 387-5512
              Features
  

        
              NIFC Campus
                NIFC History
                Fire Photos
                Contact Us
              Information
  

        
              Fire Information
                Mobilization Guide
                PIO Bulletin Board
                Red Book
              Social
  

        
              Facebook
                Twitter
                Flickr
                YouTube
                LinkedIn
              About
  

        
              About NIFC
                FAQ
                Map and Directions
                Phone Directory nifc.gov
An official website of the Department of the Interior
      
      About DOI.gov
	Accessibility statement
	FOIA requests
      No FEAR Act data
	Office of the Inspector General
	Budget & performance reports
      Agency financial reports
	Disclaimer
	Privacy policy
      Vulnerability disclosure policy
	Cummings Act notices
      Looking for U.S. government information and services? Visit USA.gov

The National Interagency Fire Center is committed to making its information and communication technologies accessible to individuals with disabilities by meeting or exceeding the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. To meet this commitment, we continue to monitor and update our content to make sure our documents meet these standards.