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07/29/2026

MEDIA ADVISORY: DEEP to Welcome Local Firefighters Returning from Fighting Quebec Wildfires

(HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s Forestry Division will welcome back a 6-person wildland firefighting crew who have been assisting with wildfire suppression efforts in Val-d’Or, Quebec, Canada.  The crew departed from DEEP’s Eastern District Headquarters in Marlborough on July 17th, 2026, and will return there on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

The deployment included 6 members of the Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew. (CIFC), who joined wildland firefighters from Maine and New Hampshire as part of an Interagency crew under the Northeastern Forest Fire Compact. Crew members include a mix of full-time DEEP staff and trained “call-when-needed” wildland firefighters who are certified to national wildland firefighting standards.

The crew is driving back to DEEP’s Eastern District Headquarters (EDHQ) in Marlborough with an estimated arrival time of 4:30-5:30 p.m. They will be welcomed home by Acting Commissioner Emma Cimino.  Media are invited to be at EDHQ as crew members arrive to demobilize. DEEP staff will help coordinate interviews with members who are willing to speak with the media.

Who: DEEP Acting Commissioner Emma Cimino, members of the Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew, DEEP staff

What: Firefighters demobilize from deployment to Canada wildfires

When: Wednesday, July 29th, 4:30-5:30 p.m. (estimated time)

Where: DEEP Eastern District Headquarters, 209 Hebron Road, Marlborough, CT 06447
Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
Facebook: DEEP on Facebook

Contact

DEEP Communications  
DEEP.Communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110

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