Photo of the Week: 50 years of the NIFC

July 24, 2020 03:37 PM

Calling all fire photographers: FireRescue1 wants to see your pictures! The next time you come across something inspiring, take out the camera and submit it to FireRescue1! Just remember to include your name, agency information and brief background information on the picture.

This week’s Photo of the Week highlights moments in the National Interagency Fire Center’s history during its 50th anniversary. This week, the NIFC shared facts and photographs about its half-century of operations using the hashtag #NIFC50 on social media, leading up to the anniversary of its dedication on July 25.

Some examples include its partnerships with the National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of Defense, U.S. Fire Administration and National Association of State Foresters, the 1988 Yellowstone National Park fires that spurred major changes in fire safety and fire management principles, and its recent assistance during the Australian brush fires of 2019-2020.

U.S. firefighters assisted firefighting efforts during the Australia brush fire crisis of 2019-2020.

The Department of Defense has supported interagency wildland fire management since 1975 and an official liaison was established in 2008 to strengthen the partnership. One way the DOD supports firefighting efforts is through the Modular Airborne Firefighting System.

The National Association of State Foresters joined the NIFC in 2000. The association protects the nation’s state and private forests, accounting for about two-thirds of all U.S. forests.

The Yellowstone National Park fires of 1988 burned nearly 800,000 and spurred major changes and improvements to fire safety and fire management principles.