Bull Lake fire engine and crew sent to fight California wildfires

A Bull Lake Volunteer Fire Department Type 3 engine and crew recently went to California to help with firefighting efforts, according to a Dec. 8 news release from Capt. Dan Bushnell of the Montana National Guard.

“California requested 50 strike teams of type I, III, V and VI wildland engines from Montana and six other states to fight the fires which started on Dec. 4,” the news release states. “Gov. (Steve) Bullock authorized support for California, charging the Montana Disaster and Emergency Division with the task of recruiting local firefighting teams.”

According to the news release, the request came through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact process, “which allows for equipment and personnel to be quickly requested and manned for life and property safety between states in times of natural disasters.”

Altogether, 54 Montana wildland firefighters and 16 wildland engines from 14 fire departments statewide were sent to California.