For first time in a decade, US military deploys active-duty soldiers — to fight wildfires

The Takeaway
LA County Wild Fire

Massive wildfires have plagued at least eight states this summer, and more than 80 vast blazes remain active in states like California, Idaho, Washington and Montana. 

More than 25,000 people have been called on to combat the wildfires so far, including 200 active duty soldiers. This is the first time in nearly a decade that the Defense Department has enlisted soldiers to fight fires.

“[The soldiers are a response to] a request from the National Interagency Fire Center, which is an agency that operates under the the Department of Agriculture,” says Lt. Col. Joseph Buccino, an Army spokesman. 

About 1.1 million acres are burning across the United States, making 2015 one of the worst fire seasons on record. Buccino says the Army National Guard has been exhausted, which is why the Pentagon allowed active duty military personnel to step in.

“We do not have dedicated fire fighters, however, our soldiers — they’re obviously the nation’s best — they have unique capabilities that can be applied here,” Buccino says. “They have combat lifesaving skills, they’re trained on medical readiness, they’re physically fit, they can live and operate in austere environments, they move in teams and they can move through all kinds of terrains. All of these things that can be applied in combat situations can also be applied in non-combat situations.”

The soldiers, who have been receiving both classroom and outdoor training, are coming from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State and are being bused to the site of active fires. They will operate in 10 teams of 20 soldiers to combat the blazes. 

“This mission is set for a 30-day period, beginning when the soldiers move, which looks like it will be [Friday],” Buccino adds. “This has been developing rapidly, and fortunately we’ve been able to respond pretty rapidly.”

This story first aired as an interview on PRI's The Takeaway, a public radio program that invites you to be part of the American conversation.

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