Boots on the Ground: Southern Wildfire Deployments and the Power of Regional Response

Wildfire activity has surged across the South in recent months, putting local, state and regional firefighting resources to the test. When wildfires ramp up in the South, help can come from anywhere – and often does. The national wildfire response system is built on cooperation across all regions, with states sending crews wherever they’re needed most. That spirit of mutual support is essential, and the Southern region proudly contributes to and benefits from it.

Deployments within the southern region states are a critical piece of this puzzle. Wildfire response isn’t just about what happens within state lines; it’s about a broader, deeply coordinated system of mutual aid built on trust, advanced training and partnership. Thanks to longstanding relationships, shared compacts and geographic proximity, southern states are often able to mobilize quickly to assist one another.

Coordination Across State Lines

Many wildfire deployments in the south are fulfilled through state-to-state requests, facilitated by long-established partnerships and fire compacts. These agreements enable states to quickly mobilize crews, equipment and other fire experts when wildfires exceed the capacity of standard local resources. Whether it’s a bulldozer operator from Georgia supporting a fire in Mississippi or a full Incident Management Team (IMT) from Tennessee assisting Louisiana, these deployments are essential to getting wildfires contained and keeping communities safe.

So far in 2025, southern crews have been particularly active. Since March, both the Southeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection and South-Central Forest Fire Compacts have been activated to support wildfire response efforts in the Region.

Southern region mobilizations this year have so far included, but are not limited to:

• A 29-person Complex IMT from the Florida Forest Service sent to support the Covington Drive Fire in South Carolina.
• The Southern Area Blue Team, an interagency Complex Incident Management Team, sent to support the Table Rock Complex in South Carolina
• 13 personnel and five engines from Tennessee, South Carolina and Louisiana sent to the Black Cove Fire in North Carolina
• 24 personnel, eight dozers and five engines from Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida sent to support wildfire response in Oklahoma.

It’s important to note that these are not one-way relationships. The same crews lending a hand today may be the ones receiving assistance tomorrow, with many southern responders certified for national-level deployments as well.

What Deployments Look Like on the Ground

Deployed crews typically stay out for 14–21 days at a time, often working long hours in intense conditions. While some are frontline wildland firefighters, others handle logistics, planning, public information and air operations. It’s can be arduous work camping in tents, managing fatigue and operating in remote areas—but it’s critical.

All wildfire incidents are managed using the Incident Command System (ICS), a national framework that allows different agencies and crews to work together seamlessly. Everyone shows up knowing their role, and that shared structure keeps operations safe and effective.

Why It Matters

Every southern state maintains a careful balance between sending help and staying ready at home. Before anyone deploys, State Foresters and Fire Chiefs assess their own wildfire risk to make sure local needs are covered. And when it’s safe to send help, they do so – knowing that when the tables inevitably turn, those partners will be there to return the favor.

Deployments not only support neighbors in need, they also help strengthen the region’s overall fire response capacity. Personnel gain valuable experience on the ground, deepen relationships across agencies and come home better prepared for the next incident.

Looking Ahead

As wildfire activity continues to increase in frequency and intensity, the importance of coordinated regional and national deployments becomes even more critical. The South’s ability to quickly mobilize skilled personnel, equipment and expertise across state lines reflects a decades-long investment in relationships, training and trust. These deployments aren’t just about putting out wildfires – demonstrate the values that define the southern wildfire response community: resilience, cooperation and a deep-rooted commitment to protecting lives, property and natural resources. When the call comes, the South answers.