The Carolina Forest Wildfire burning near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that the Florida Forest Service is deploying a Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) of 35 personnel to support the state of South Carolina in response to the dramatic increase in wildfires occurring across the state. The CIMT from Florida is a specialized team designed to manage large-scale and complex wildfire incidents. These teams are made up of experienced firefighting personnel, including incident commanders, operations specialists, and support staff, all of whom are trained to handle high-pressure wildfire situations that demand a coordinated and strategic response.
“When a neighbor is in need, Florida will always answer the call for help. Just as we would count on South Carolina to stand with us in our time of need, we are proud to send our highly skilled wildland firefighting personnel to assist in their wildfire response,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “The Florida Forest Service’s expertise in managing complex wildfire incidents will help protect lives, property, and natural resources. This is what true partnership looks like — states working together to meet challenges head-on and ensure the safety of our communities.”
The Florida Forest Service’s decision to send the CIMT to South Carolina is a clear example of the vital role that regional compact agreements, such as the Southeastern Compact, play in fostering inter-state collaboration and ensuring that wildfire management capabilities are optimized across the region.
“We are glad to provide our neighboring state of South Carolina with the additional wildland fire response resources needed at this time,” said Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan. “Through this deployment, the Florida Forest Service not only showcases its commitment to regional cooperation but also highlights the strength of the Southeastern Compact in enhancing wildfire preparedness and response capabilities. It is a vital tool for fostering resilience in the face of natural disasters and reinforces the importance of states working together to address shared challenges in wildfire management.”
The deployment comes as South Carolina faces multiple wildfires that threaten both property and natural resources. The CIMT from Florida will help South Carolina manage these fires more effectively by providing on-the-ground leadership, planning, logistics, and tactical expertise. The Florida Forest Service has extensive experience in managing wildfires, with a deep understanding of the unique challenges posed by the region’s climate, terrain, and vegetation. By working together, the states are better equipped to mitigate the impacts of the wildfires and protect their communities.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland, and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres.
For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.
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