CARLISLE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — 11 state wildland firefighters from the Department of Conversation and Recreation (DCR) are bound for Quebec, Canada to help battle the more than 124 wildfires that have burned since the beginning of June.
Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper, and DCR officials sent off the firefighters Thursday morning at the DCR Bureau of Forestry and Fire Control headquarters in Carlisle, Massachusetts.
"Over the last several years we have seen the impacts of the climate crisis here at home and around the world, in the forms of extreme weather and increasingly severe wildfires that continue to ravage our forests," said Governor Maura Healey. "We are proud of these 11 Massachusetts wildland firefighters who are heading up to assist our Canadian partners in battling these intense wildfires."
"We feel the effects of the climate crisis every day from the extreme heat to droughts to the smoke polluting our air," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "We appreciate the men and women from Massachusetts that will join the team fighting wildfires in Quebec and making our environment safer for all of us."
"Firefighters are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, risking their lives to save others," said Energy & Environmental Affairs Secretary Tepper. "I was grateful for the opportunity to thank them directly this morning and we will keep them in our thoughts as we forge ahead to a clean energy future. The clean energy transition is about people, and we see that today."
"DCR is committed to doing everything we can to protecting our natural lands for generations to come and today’s deployment of these 11 DCR firefighters to help our friends and partners in Quebec is part of that commitment," said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. "These are extremely well-trained and dedicated firefighters whose skills are much needed, and whose help, we know is enormously appreciated."
The Canadian wildfires have impacted several of the country's provinces this year, including Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia. Canadian wildfire smoke has also affected the United States as it drifted southwards, with air quality alerts put into effect in 18 states across the northeastern and midwestern parts of the country last week. Many outdoor public and sporting events were forced to postpone due to poor air quality from the smoke.
The responding DCR firefighters are: Benjamin Jennell of West Newbury; Robert Armstrong of Conway; George Kleczka of Plainville; James Kontoules of Salem; Eryn Donohoe of Sagamore Beach; Charles Uchendu of Oak Bluffs; Jacob O’Donnell of Millis; Anders Anderson of Carver; Derick Valovcin of Holliston; Tyler Desautels of Millbury; and Alex Desrochers of Plymouth.
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