Harrisburg, PA – On Jan 24th, Governor Josh Shapiro announced that Pennsylvania is deploying two crews of highly trained wildland firefighters, coordinated by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), to California to help combat the devastating wildfires near Los Angeles. This deployment is taking place as a result of a request for assistance from the state of California. These 40 firefighters will bring their expertise and commitment to protect lives, homes, and natural resources in communities outside Los Angeles. 

"On Jan 24th, 40 of Pennsylvania’s skilled wildland firefighters are heading to California to assist in the battle against these devastating fires,” said Governor Shapiro. “Pennsylvania stands ready to help our fellow Americans – and these brave, highly trained firefighters are answering the call and heading to California to join the ongoing work to help protect lives and entire communities." 

The crews, comprising 40 firefighters, departed on January 24 – and are expected to arrive in California on Monday, January 27. This dedicated team includes both experienced DCNR staff and volunteer wildland firefighters from across Pennsylvania, exemplifying the Commonwealth’s collaboration to assist other states in times of emergencies and readiness to answer the call for help. 

“Our firefighters stand ready to meet the challenge of protecting lives, homes, and natural resources,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Pennsylvania’s wildland firefighters are among the best in the nation, rigorously trained to national standards and widely respected for their expertise in wildfire management. We are proud to contribute our skills and resources to support California’s communities during this critical time.” 

Each team is structured to operate effectively in the most demanding conditions, with 20 members led by a crew boss and three squad bosses. They will work and live together for the duration of their 14-day deployment, with tasks including: 

• Installing water lines and sprinkler systems to protect fire lines and buildings, 

• Improving defensible space around homes in the path of wildfires, and 

• Reinforcing critical fire containment strategies to prevent further spread. 

In addition to the deployed crews, Pennsylvania already has a trained liaison on the ground in Los Angeles, facilitating coordination between the U.S. Forest Service and East Coast fire crews. The DCNR Bureau of Forestry remains at the forefront of wildfire management, leveraging decades of experience and expertise to protect public and private lands from the devastating effects of wildfires. 

Pennsylvania’s ability to assist other states in wildfire response is made possible under the Stafford Act, which allows the Commonwealth to collaborate with federal agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service. Originally inspired by the devastation of Hurricane Agnes in 1972, the Stafford Act highlights the importance of interagency cooperation during disasters. DCNR has a long history of providing support in national emergencies, including after Hurricane Katrina in 2006 and Hurricane Ian in 2022. 

The DCNR Bureau of Forestry is responsible for protecting the Commonwealth’s 17 million acres of public and private wildlands from damage by wildfire. For more than 50 years, DCNR also has participated in a cooperative agreement with the federal government to assist with personnel and equipment for out-of-state wildfires.  

Learn more about wildfire on DCNR’s website.