New Jersey Forest Fire Service personnel and equipment have returned home after completing a two-week deployment to Georgia, where they assisted in battling several major wildfires across the state.

During the deployment, the New Jersey crew was assigned to the 35,575-acre Pineland Road Wildfire and also provided support on the 22,420-acre Highway 82 Wildfire. Officials say both fires are now 90% contained.

The Forest Fire Service deployed three Type 4 fire engines, one pickup truck, and nine wildland firefighters as part of the mission.

According to officials, out-of-state deployments provide New Jersey firefighters with valuable hands-on experience and advanced wildfire suppression strategies that they can bring back home. The assignments also offer training opportunities that help firefighters work toward national certifications through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

Officials noted that all expenses related to out-of-state deployments are reimbursed either by the federal government or by the state requesting assistance. Each deployment typically lasts 14 working days, with replacement crews sent if continued support is needed.

For more than 40 years, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has provided wildfire assistance to states across the country, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.

Officials emphasized that these out-of-state assignments do not impact the Forest Fire Service’s ability to respond to wildfires here in New Jersey.