Fire & Rescue
Southwest Florida firefighters deployed to Texas to battle major wildfire
Firefighters from Marco Island Fire Rescue and North Port Fire Rescue have deployed to Palo Pinto County, Texas, to assist crews battling the Ross Fire. The wildfire had burned more than 85,000 acres and was reported at 31 percent containment when the deployment was announced.
Marco Island Fire Rescue sent two firefighters and Brush 50 on Saturday. The department said the assignment is expected to last at least two weeks, placing a Collier County crew and vehicle within the multistate response.
North Port Fire Rescue sent Lieutenant Ray Coyle and Engineer Matt Parrish. Their department said the pair was working in Division W on the northern portion of the fire, providing exposure protection for homes, structures and other property threatened by the advancing flames.
Aircraft supporting ground crews included Super Scoopers and Black Hawk helicopters operating over the main body of the fire. The fire’s size, containment level and crew assignments can change as conditions and operations develop.
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