**MEDIA ADVISORY**

Maine Forest Rangers to highlight fire weather and other prevention tools during Wildfire Awareness Week

WHAT

• The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Maine Forest Service (MFS) invites media to a Wildfire Awareness Week outreach event.
• This event marks this year’s Wildfire Awareness Week and highlights how MFS uses fire weather information, such as the daily wildfire danger rating, weather station data, and red flag warnings, as wildfire prevention tools.
• MFS Chief Ranger Robby Gross, MFS Rangers, and representatives from the National Weather Service, local fire service, and other cooperators will be present.

WHEN-WHERE

• Wednesday, April 23, 2025
  10 to 11 AM
  MFS Southern Region Headquarters - Bolton Hill Facility
  2870 North Belfast Avenue in Augusta
  Directions: Follow Exit 113 off I-95. Travel east on Route 3 through 4 lights, about 4 miles, and look for the MFS sign on the right after passing Bolton Hill Road.

WHY

• This event is designed to provide the media with an opportunity to learn more about Forest Rangers’ role as wildland firefighters, and how we collaborate with our cooperators to prevent and respond to wildfires.
• The MFS will have a helicopter and Type 6 wildland fire engine on display. Several Forest Rangers who have recently mobilized out-of-state on wildfire assignments will also be available for questions/interviews.
• Wildfire Awareness Week in Maine is typically the third week of April each year and often coincides with an increase in wildfire activity. Because our spring weather patterns usually bring periods of warmer temperatures and windy days, drying conditions may increase the likelihood of debris burns and recreational fires escaping and causing wildfires.

MEDIA ACCESS:

• Open to press and the public. No RSVP required.

CONTACT:

• Forest Fire Prevention Specialist Terri Teller
  (207) 287-4993
  [email protected]
• DACF Communications Director Jim Britt
  (207) 480-0558
  [email protected]