Federal Government Policy and Business

Hundreds of Federal Personnel Aiding in Fighting California Wildfires

Government Executive: Federal agencies have hundreds of firefighters working to put out flames raging throughout California, officials said Tuesday, aiding in efforts to contain blazes that have devastated large portions of the state.

The Forest Service has about 500 personnel combating the fires, which have burned through more than 100,000 acres of land and killed at least 15 people in northern California. The Agriculture Department employees are assisting with Cal Fire and local jurisdictions on those blazes, as well several large incidents in National Forests they maintain. While the fires in Sonoma, Mendocino and Yuba counties have garnered national headlines in recent days, several have also torched massive areas in Forest Service lands.

Read article