DNR Deploys More Than 200 Firefighters to Help Fight Canadian Wildfires

The agency is fulfilling its regional relationship by sending personnel and equipment to help fight blazes in Alberta and Saskatchewan

The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has deployed more than 200 firefighters across the Canadian border to help suppress large wildfires in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

As part of its Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement (NW Compact), DNR has sent eight contracted 20-person hand crews, a DNR 20-person hand crew, a DNR 10-person hand crew, one DNR strike team of engines, and leadership personnel, with the most recent departing this past weekend.

“This is a great example of why regional compacts and state-to-state agreements are such a vital part of wildfire suppression preparation and response,” said George Geissler, DNR’s State Forester and Deputy Supervisor responsible for Wildland Fire Management. “We have a strong working relationship with Canada, which sent aircraft to assist on a fire on the Washington side of the border just last month. Now it’s our turn to lend a helping hand.”

The agency is also teaming up with the Washington State Fire Service to contribute personnel to an ad hoc NW Compact incident management team, which will be operating in Alberta.

“Wildfires and climate change don’t recognize borders, which is why it’s critically important we’re able to provide our neighbors the certainty we’ll be there to help when they need it most,” Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove said. “With only a line on a map separating Washington from Canada, I’m proud to have a team who can quickly respond to help our neighbors in Alberta and Saskatchewan in the same way Canadian firefighters have helped us with fires in the Okanogan or North Cascades.”

DNR remains fully staffed and prepared to respond to potential ignitions across Washington state as temperatures warm and the 2025 fire season ramps up toward the peak months of July and August. With nearly 90 percent of Washington wildfires started by human activity, everyone in Washington can help keep the state safe by following the wildfire safety tips posted at dnr.wa.gov/WildfirePrevention.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Thomas Kyle-Milward

Wildfire Communications Manager

360-529-7184

thomas.kyle-milward@dnr.wa.gov