Third Crew of Wildland Firefighters Help Battle Minnesota Fires

08:23AM / Sunday, August 30, 2026Print Story | Email Story

CARLISLE — Governor Maura Healey announced that Massachusetts is sending a third crew of specially trained wildland firefighters to northern Minnesota to help fight ongoing fires in the region.

The 15-person team includes firefighters from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife). Massachusetts has already deployed two crews, to assist with the fires in Minnesota, and several firefighters from the first crew are volunteering to return for a second deployment.

"I'm incredibly proud of our Massachusetts firefighters, including several who are volunteering to head back to Minnesota for a second time," said Governor Maura Healey. "They are leaving their families and putting themselves in harm's way to help communities that need them. We're grateful for their service and wish them a safe deployment."

Five large wildfires continue to burn across the Boundary Waters region of northern Minnesota, including the Bear Trap Fire, which extends into Ontario, Canada. Together, the July Lighting Fires span more than 65,000 acres and have drawn more than 750 personnel as part of a coordinated response.

The Massachusetts team includes 11-person wildland suppression crew and a four-person engine team, all of who meet federal wildland firefighting standards. During the approximately 14-day deployment, the crew may build fire breaks, secure fire perimeters, contain fires and protect structures. All members have completed federal wildland firefighting training and passed required physical fitness testing.

"Massachusetts' firefighters are again lending support to our partners in other states," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "Drought and dry conditions are worsening fire risk across the country. Some areas are in need of more capacity as they combat wildfires at a much bigger scale. These trends speak to how climate change puts strain on our first responders. We stand with them and are ready to send our support to communities in need."

Since 1985, DCR's Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry, in partnership with U.S. Forest Service and the Northeast Forest Fire Protection Commission, has been sending crews to fight fires across North America. In recent years Massachusetts firefighting personnel have been deployed to multiple wildfires, including fires in Montana, Idaho, California, Oregon, Arizona, as well as Canada. Last year, DCR and DFG sent a 20-person crew to Fairbanks, Alaska,, for a two-week deployment. In each case, Massachusetts firefighters are able to apply the unique skills they have learned in service at home and acquire new techniques and expertise they can bring back to address future fires.

In the fall of 2025, Chief Fire Warden Dave Celino and the DCR wildland firefighters received the Fire Marshall's award at the 36th annual Firefighter of the Year awards in recognition of the experience, expertise and firefighting resources they contributed to state's efforts to combat the historic fires that burned 4,000 acres across Massachusetts during the 2024 wildfire season.

The responding Massachusetts firefighters are:?

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The Grand Coming to North Street, Bousquet Under New Food Management

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
01:06PM / Sunday, August 30, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Grand has secured its liquor license, and the McNinch Restaurant Group now operates Bousquet Mountain’s restaurant, its third eatery in the city.

On Monday, the Licensing Board approved the transfer of all alcohol-seven-day liquor licenses for The Grand on North Street and the ski area at 101 Dan Fox Drive.

The former Iztac Mexican Restaurant has given way to a more subdued, moody facade as local Gordon Hebler prepares to open as an oyster bar and piano lounge with seafood options. Its liquor license was transferred to Chesnut Catering doing business as The Grand, owned and managed by Hebler.

He envisions following the theater and music programs in the county, closing for a couple of months at the beginning of each year. Seating was also reduced from accommodating around 100 patrons to 60.

"We're going to be pretty busy. I have that feeling anyway," Hebler said. "…If the foot traffic is any indication of what we're going to see, I'm very excited."

An entertainment license was also approved for The Grand. A piano and vocalist are planned for Wednesday through Sunday evenings; an opening date has not yet been set.

"It’s not just a run in and grab a quick bite and run out," Hebler said. "It's a little bit more involved."

The board also approved an all-alcohol seven-day liquor license transfer from Fresh Powder LLC to the McNinch Restaurant Group for Drifters Bar and Restaurant, located in Bousquet’s ski lodge, and the ski area.

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