Chasing embers: The Mark Twain Veteran Crew's crucial role in wildfire response

The Mark Twain Veteran Crew has traveled to California to aid in the ongoing wildfire response efforts needed around the already devastated communities.

The Mark Twain Veteran Crew is a US Forest Service wildland firefighting crew, all of whom have prior military service, according to a press release from the forest service. This crew has already shown itself to be a valuable resource as it chases embers pushed around by gusting winds, preventing new wildfire starts in the area.

Crew Superintendent Sam Bowen shared that his crew is not specifically assigned to one fire right now. Instead, they are being utilized to chase down reports of new wildfire starts. This work, known as initial attack, is something keeping the crew busy on their assignment.

“We have stayed busy, getting dispatched for fire responses every day since we arrived,” Bowen said.

Looking at current weather forecasts and the dryness of the wind-blown brush and grasses, Bowen expects the Mark Twain Veteran Crew to stay busy for the length of their assignment to Southern California.

Mark Twain Fire Management Officer, Jim Cornelius added, “We are currently dispatching a second crew of 13 more people to join in the efforts, in addition to the 26 firefighters that are already out there with the Veteran Crew.”

“We traditionally provide a lot of support in late summer to Western states; and even though the timing for this is a little unusual, we have many folks that are ready to join in to support national wildfire response needs whenever they arise,” added Cornelius.