DEC Forest Rangers, Staff and Volunteer Crew Spent Two Weeks Helping to Contain the Gibralter Ridge Fire in the Kootenai National Forest

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) firefighting crew that helped battle wildfires for the past two weeks in the Gibralter Ridge Fire in the Kootenai National Forest near Eureka, Montana, is set to return to the Albany area Thursday afternoon.

The crew, which includes Forest Rangers, DEC employees from various fields, and volunteers, is made up of residents from across the state. The crew battled for two weeks to contain the wildfire. When the New York team arrived in Montana approximately 80 firefighters and support personnel were assigned to the fire, but that number rose to more than 378 as the wildfire continued to spread. Currently, the fire is only 19 percent contained and is expected to burn until late September.

Who: DEC Region 5 Director Robert Stegemann, Forest Rangers, employees and volunteers

Where: Saratoga Tree Nursery, 2369 Ballston Ave., Saratoga Springs, 12866

*Follow signs for Forest Rangers*

When: Thursday, August 24, 1 p.m.

Crew Members Available to Talk to Media Upon Their Return