National Capital Region firefighters help fight wildland fire in western Maryland

Wildland firefighters from parks across the National Capital Region come together when there is a firefighting need.

NPS

NCR wildland firefighters helped suppress multiple fires across the region.

NPS

Between April 14 and 15, 2023, ten wildland firefighters from the National Park Service's (NPS) National Capital Region (NCR), including Antietam National Battlefield, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Rock Creek Park, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and the National Mall and Memorial Parks spent two days helping state and local partners suppress a wildland fire near Clear Spring, Maryland. The fire started on the afternoon of April 13 under extreme fire weather conditions, known as “Red Flag” conditions and spread across an estimated 100 acres. NCR wildland firefighters helped contain the fire on April 15. Maryland Forestry fire officers were grateful for the assistance and commented on the skills and hard work put in by the NPS crew.

The NCR Fire and Emergency team had been busy throughout the spring and had responded to five additional wildland fires at NCR parks in the week prior. Spring is often the busiest time of year for fire suppression in that part of the U.S. During emergencies, trained NCR firefighters from across the region assemble to suppress wildland fires wherever needed to protect our NCR visitors and resources from devastating wildfires.