PEARL, Miss. ( WJTV ) – The Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) deployed a 20-person Type 2 Initial Attack Hand Crew to assist with wildfire suppression efforts on the Cougar Creek Fire in southeast Washington state.

Officials said the crew names will be released upon their safe return to Mississippi in approximately two weeks. The fire currently spans 8,271 acres and is 23 percent contained.

Additionally, the MFC is dispatching a seven-person wildfire suppression module to Washington State on Tuesday morning to assist with initial attack efforts as new wildfires ignite under very dry conditions. This module will be on standby, ready to respond to fires for the next 14 days.

“We appreciate our employees who are taking part in these efforts and assisting our state and federal partners in Washington State,” said Russell Bozeman, MFC State Forester. “Fighting the destructive power of wildfire means that our team is out there in extreme conditions, protecting lives, homes, and natural resources. We wish them a safe trip and look forward to their return home.”

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