When fires rage out of control in other states, agencies will call on Michigan DNR firefighters like Joel Johnson.
Days in the field begin as early as 4:30 a.m. when he’s on assignments.
“[We] get geared up for the day, grab our lunches, get our morning briefings in, and get the resources that are assigned to us,” said Johnson. “Then get out to our assigned area of the fire.”
Johnson is a DNR Forest Fire Officer. He’s in charge of logistics and manning the fire engine at fires. He’s overseen 2,300 acres of prescribed burns this year in Michigan alone.
However, fires that he’s called to out west are of a different nature.
“Lightning is a strong component, and then you get arsonists and people leaving their campfires unattended,” said Johnson.