Delaware firefighters help contain wildfire in Alaska

     (Photo courtesy of Sam Harrel/News-Miner)

    (Photo courtesy of Sam Harrel/News-Miner)

    Nearly two dozen Delaware firefighters are helping to contain a wildfire in the state of Alaska.

    The crew of 20 Delaware wild-land firefighters are part of a group of more than 700 firefighters from across the country who were deployed to help contain a 82,000 acre fire in the eastern part of the vast state. The crew left on July 5 from the Blackbird State Forest in Smyrna.

    According to John Petersen, spokesman for the Delaware Forest Service, the firefighters are working as a hand crew and have been tasked with digging fire line.

    “They create firebreaks so that if the fire should reach a certain point it, it won’t be able to break through the fire line,” explained Petersen. “Essentially what they are doing is building a ring around the fire and trying to protect structures and certain landmarks.”

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    The Stuart Creek 2 Fire is located about 25 miles east of the town of North Pole, Alaska and is about 15 percent contained.

    The crew is staying at a remote camp near the fire and are expected to work in Alaska for about two weeks.

    Last year the crew helped fight fires in Colorado and Wyoming. They’ve also helped with hazardous events including  hurricane relief.

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal