New York is sending help in response to severe weather in the western part of the country, as many states are once again battling wildfires.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday that 20 state Department of Environmental Conservation fire responders are heading to Montana to help with efforts to contain fires there. New York is also sending a forest ranger to Oregon to assist with efforts there.
As of Monday, there were 75 active wildfires burning more than 64,000 acres of land in Montana, according to officials.
"With dozens of wildfires being managed across the country, New York is prepared to send help to other states in need,” Hochul said in a statement. “Our expert Forest Rangers and trained wildland firefighting staff will be instrumental in helping lead firefighting efforts to protect lives and property. I thank these brave firefighters for answering the call and look forward to their safe return.”
"Out west, they have bigger fires every year and no state has enough resources in their state to put those fires out," said New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation Forest Ranger Captain Scott Jackson. "So nationally, all the states and federal entities across the country participate in this agreement program where we move resources around to places when they're having bigger fires"
Crews will be there for a two-week assignment.