The Maryland Forest Service coordinates wildland fire response across the state through trained personnel, standardized incident management practices, and established partnerships with local fire departments and regional agencies. Most wildfires are managed at the local level, with state resources providing additional capacity, technical expertise, and coordination for more complex incidents.

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Deployment and Coordination

Through a cooperative agreement with the USDA Forest Service, the Maryland Forest Service has mobilized wildland firefighters for dispatch throughout the United States since 1974. Each year, the agency develops and maintains a roster of qualified personnel available for deployment on short notice to assist with wildfire suppression anywhere in the country. Maryland participates in the Mid-Atlantic Forest Fire Compact, an agreement among neighboring states that enables the sharing of personnel and equipment across state lines during periods of elevated fire activity. Together, these frameworks ensure that Maryland can both contribute to and draw on regional and national resources as conditions require.

Maryland dispatches both qualified single resource personnel serving in overhead positions and 20-person Type 2 wildland fire hand crews. Eligible participants include Forest Service personnel, volunteer and career firefighters, and returning crew members with satisfactory evaluations. Resources are subject to dispatch on as little as 12 hours notice, and all costs associated with out-of-state deployment are reimbursed to the state through the cooperative agreement.

To maintain eligibility, participants must annually pass the Work Capacity Test (pack test) and complete the RT-130 Annual Wildfire Safety Refresher course. Upon completing all requirements, each individual receives a red card documenting the duties they are qualified to perform on wildfire incidents nationally. Certification is completed in May and Maryland's resources are listed as available in June.

Individuals interested in participating in Maryland's interagency wildfire program should contact the Fire Staff listed below.

Training

Entry-level wildland firefighters are required to complete a 40-hour basic firefighter training course covering the following subjects:

• S-130: Wildland Firefighter
• S-190: Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
• L-180: Human Factors on the Fireline
• ​I-100: Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS)

Training is generally offered twice per year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Physical fitness testing is conducted in late winter or early spring across four regions of the state.

The Maryland Forest Service also hosts a Wildland Fire Camp every other year at Broad Creek Memorial Scout Camp in Harford County. Held in May, the camp simulates a wildfire incident, giving participants experience functioning as part of a fire crew and offering advanced skills training for returning firefighters.

Upcoming Training​

Training dates and registration information are posted annually. For current schedules, visit mid​atlanticfirecompact.com for Mid-Atlantic Wildfire Training Academy dates.

Mid-Atlantic Wildfire Training Academy:

• June 8–12, 2026 — Garrett College, McHenry, MD

Online Training​

Some wildland fire courses are available online through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Learning Portal. National Incident Management courses are available through FEMA EMI. Maryland students seeking assistance with online agency training should contact Timothy Cole at (410) 533-8747 or [email protected].

Fire Staff Contacts

Headquarters
Chris Robertson, State Fire Supervisor
​(410) 260-8503  Cell: (443) 534-6884
[email protected]

Southern and Eastern Region
Sh​annon Wolfe, Fire Manager Maryland Forest Service
(301) 579-6551 Cell: (301) 331-6432
​ [email protected]

Central and Western Region
Timot​hy Cole, Fire Manager
(410) 533-8747
​ [email protected]

Maryland Natural Resources Police:
​(410) 260-8888