ALASKA — They say when you work for the Forest Service you have a “Forest Service Family.” This recently rang true for employees from two forests working together in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. 

Four Tongass National Forest employees from the Alaska Region embarked on a long journey south to the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina to assist with post storm clean-up efforts. The Alaska-based team spent their days on the Grandfather Ranger District clearing roads and supporting the local employees as they moved into fire season. 

“Support from the local communities was very high,” said Mitch Erie, an assistant fire module lead on the Tongass. “We were greeted with smiles everywhere we went.”

Working alongside other agency personnel from around the nation, Erie and his crew cleared heavy blowdowns and debris from landslides. 

“We feel accomplished at the end of our two-week assignment, knowing we’ve been able to significantly support the communities and forest impacted by the hurricane,” Erie said. "It was an absolute pleasure, for all of us, to represent Region 10 and assist our Forest Service family in their recovery from this horrific tragedy.”

Forests helping each other is what it’s all about, regardless of geographic location or distance.