For the first time since 2006, active-duty military personnel are being mobilized to assist with wildland firefighting. The National Interagency Fire Center announced the mobilization today, with roughly 95 large wildfires burning about 1.1 million acres in seven western states including Idaho. Aitor Bidaburu, chair of the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group, called the current situation “the most challenging wildfires we’ve experienced in several years.” NMAC requested the Department of Defense to provide 200 active-duty military personnel to join the firefighting ranks; the request was immediately approved, and the soldiers are being mobilized from Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma/Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise. More here.

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