Williams Named to NPS Fire Management Post

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park has a new Fire Management Officer in Ross Williams.

Williams will oversee the fire management operations for the Pacific Island Park network, which not only includes HVNP, but also parks throughout the state, Guam, Saipan, and American Samoa.

Previously, Williams served as the deputy fire staff of the Gifford Pinchot and Mt. Hood National Forests in Oregon. He has 34 years of experience working in integrated aviation, fire, and fuels programs throughout the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Great Basin areas.

Volcano coordination plans at Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Hood were all developed with the assistance of Williams as he worked with a variety of federal, state, local, and private organizations.

Williams will coordinate fire management with partner agencies, including the Hawai’i County Fire Department, Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry & Wildlife, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Services.

Since arriving to Hawai’i just this summer, Williams has already mobilized crew and resources to assist with the Kawaihae wildfire that burned thousands of acres in early August.

NPS officials say Williams has also directed fire crew and resources from Hawai’i and American Samoa to assist with mainland fires, and recently led a week-long training for fire recruits in American Samoa.