A small group of firefighters from Summit County is headed to Arizona to help fight several wildfires raging in that state.

Three firefighters from the Red, White & Blue Fire District based in Breckenridge left early this morning. The department is on a federal resource list that can be called on to assist other states.  With five wildfires now burning in that state, the Colorado crew doesn鈥檛 yet know exactly where they鈥檒l be assigned. 

鈥淭hey were asked to meet just outside of Phoenix, and then tie in with the federal group that鈥檚 there,鈥� says Battalion Chief Kim Scott.  鈥淭hey鈥檒l resource them out with other agencies, to whatever fire needs the most help at the time, or the most applicable help for the apparatus that they have.鈥�

The department is sending a modified fire truck that carries about 300 gallons of water that鈥檚 useful for quick maneuvering and response.  Scott says this kind of inter-agency resource sharing is mutually beneficial, providing assistance to other states when it鈥檚 badly needed, while also allowing firefighters to gain experience fighting different types of wildland fires. The federal government is expected to reimburse the district for all expenses.