FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Where there is smoke, there is fire, but it is not always cause for concern. Fort Drum fire officials and foresters met May 15 to discuss wildfires and the manner in which they are controlled and subdued on the installation.
The team of firefighters, led by Assistant Chief Robert Denney, was on hand to show some of the department's equipment that is used specifically for controlling wildfires on Fort Drum's 25,000-acre training area. The acquisition of one vehicle in particular has assisted firefighters in being able to rapidly deploy to even the most remote locations.
The vehicle, called the "brush truck," is an all-wheel-drive humvee that firefighters use to reach far areas of Fort Drum's training ranges in the event of a fire emergency. This particular vehicle allows emergency personnel to reach the site more quickly than other rescue vehicles.
"It can get there much quicker so we can report what we have going on down range and if we need any more equipment," explained firefighter Karl Tylenda.
The truck carries 250 gallons of water, in addition to rakes, portable water tanks, and other vital pieces of equipment for managing wildfires.
Firefighters working in remote locations on Fort Drum use a variety of specialized equipment to manage fires.
All-terrain vehicles allow responders to maneuver the forest and reach areas that a truck cannot. A deployable tent, complete with lighting and air conditioning, provides a base of operations for firefighters to use during regular fire-monitoring situations and emergencies alike. In the event of a fire within the main impact area, when it is not safe to deploy firefighters into the location, aircraft can be used to suppress a fire.
"We have a great array of equipment that (Fort Drum) has provided us to serve our Soldiers," Denney said.
He explained that the role of firefighters on the range is to ensure the safety of the troops, protect post property, and minimize the impact on the environment. The fire department also must work closely with Fort Drum's Environmental Division in order to fully assess each fire situation.
Installation forester Roger Voss explained that not all fires are considered cause for concern, and some are actually allowed to burn out in a controlled manner.
"A common misconception is that fire in our ecosystem is destructive. That couldn't be farther from the truth," Voss said. "Most of our ecosystems benefit from fire at some point in time."
Wildfires can be beneficial to an ecosystem by reducing the fire load, or amount of highly flammable material that accumulates over time.
"Numerous small fires over time reduce fuels in our forests … (and prevent) those large catastrophic fires, which can be much more destructive," Voss explained.
When a fire is determined to be no threat to life or property, members of the fire department and forestry division collaborate to decide on the best course of action. Their decision is a result of many factors, such as weather conditions, the current fuel load of a particular area, and the ability to position resources where the fire can be closely monitored and suppressed if needed.
Although spring is often peak season for wildfires on Fort Drum, fewer than 20 acres have been impacted so far this year. This weather has played a key role in keeping the fire risk and actual incidence low, Denney said.
Last year, Fort Drum firefighters responded to 56 wild land brush fire incidents covering 643 acres.
While fires are closely monitored and managed on Fort Drum, it simply is not possible to prevent all fires from occurring.
"One of our biggest areas (of concern is) the firing ranges," Denney said.
Barriers around the perimeter of firing ranges stop the spread of fire, and fire control resources positioned nearby firing ranges help responders to subdue fires quickly. Firefighters also set up on location with units that are in the field to ensure that they are readily available in the event of an emergency.
While some fire and smoke are inevitable in training situations, Denney assures the public that these events are being handled in a coordinated manner. He said he appreciates the patience and understanding of the community.
"Training our Soldiers and getting the mission accomplished out here is vital to (ensuring) that when our military sends 1,000 Soldiers down range overseas, 1,000 come home," Denney concluded.
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