Central Mass. firefighters join crew battling wildfires in Idaho

Six wildland firefighters from Central Mass., including the crew boss, are part in a 21-person crew that was sent to fight ongoing blazes in the Pioneerville area of Boise, Idaho, according to the state.

Central Mass. firefighters on the crew include crew boss Roy Joseph Liard Jr. of Millville, Michael Anthony Luibil of Hubbardston, Brian Mayer of West Groton, Declan Nash of Groton, Tyler Douglas Desautels of Millbury and Riley Holm of Worcester.

According to a news release from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and the state Department of Fish and Game, the crew consists of 18 Department of Conservation and Recreation firefighters and three from the Department of Fish and Game's Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

The crew is the second in the state that has been sent this year to help with fire activity across Northwest California and the Rocky Mountain states.

In July, Massachusetts sent a 20-person crew to Helena, Montana, to battle active and uncontained large fires burning almost 46,000 acres across the state.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation also sent a firefighter to join a multiagency Connecticut Wildfire Crew that was mobilized to Oregon July 28.

The crew will engage in direct fire suppression for about 14 days. Their role will include building fire breaks, securing fire perimeters, containing fires and protecting structures.

The deployment is in response to a request Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Brian Arrigo received Saturday from the Northeastern Interagency Coordination Center in New Hampshire, according to the news release.

“With dry weather bringing on more wildfires in the western part of the country, our wildland firefighters are once again stepping up to help our friends and partners battle these devastating blazes,” Arrigo said. “Our DCR and MassWildlife firefighters are extremely well trained, and we know their skills are much needed and appreciated by our partners out west to help protect our valuable natural resources.”

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Central Mass. firefighters join crew battling wildfires in Idaho