Engine Crews

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Engine crews on the Custer Gallatin National Forest are comprised of seven people. All fire engines on the forest are classified as Type 6 engines meaning they carry approximately 300 gallons of water, 600 feet of hose, and have a GVWR of less than 26,000 pounds (equivalent to a heavy-duty truck body). Due to the extensive geography and patchwork land ownership in Eastern Montana, the Custer Gallatin National Forest participates in an extensive interagency response area. Engines routinely provide mutual aid response support to County, State of Montana, BLM, BIA, and NPS wildfires during initial and extended attack.

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Engine crews perform a wide variety of wildland fire tasks including:

• Respond to reports of new wildfires and serve as initial attack forces. As a first on scene resource, engine crews often provide the initial attack incident commander.
• Use hand tools, chainsaws, and water to put out fires and keep vegetation and structures from burning.
• Due to the amount of Wilderness and steep, rugged terrain on the Custer Gallatin National Forest, engine crews often hike or get flown by helicopter to initial attack fires.
• Assist in staffing other units across the country during high fire danger.
• Participate in the management of large fires across the country.
• Serve as holding forces on prescribed fires and wildfires to keep the fire from crossing the established firelines.
• Promote fire prevention with campers and other national forest visitors.
• Provide leadership during prescribed fires as Holding Bosses, Firing Bosses, or Burn Bosses depending on an individual’s level of experience and qualifications.

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