In the current season and climate, the threat of wildfires is ever-present, especially in dry regions like New Mexico, the location of the Bandelier National Monument. Ford has a longstanding dedication to preventing natural disasters and providing relief to impacted communities, and to assist with the current wildfire threat, Ford Motor Company and the Bronco Wild Fund are donating a Bronco Badlands SUV with the Sasquatch off-road package to the National Park Service to be used in Bandelier National Monument as a firefighting command vehicle.
“For more than a century Ford has supported fire response and disaster relief efforts by deploying vehicles to provide emergency transportation and power and deliver essential goods,” said Dave Rivers, Ford Enthusiast Brand Manager. “Bronco Wild Fund was created because of our passion for the outdoors, and we’re excited to donate the Bronco wildland firefighting command rig to Bandelier to help protect this National Monument for generations to come.”
This firefighting command rig was donated through the Ford Bronco Wild Fund, a subset organization of Ford that works to increase access, preservation and stewardship of public lands. The Bronco Wild Fund has donated more than $3.7 million to date towards causes like America’s State Parks, National Forest Foundation, Outward Bound and Sons of Smokey.
The Bandelier National Monument site is located about two hours from Albuquerque. The rugged canyons and mesas are not only stunning– they hold evidence of human life going back over 11,000 years, including petroglyphs and cliff dwellings. Fire has always been a threat in the dry, hot climate of northern New Mexico, but with the rapid effects of climate change making the fire season longer, it’s even more dangerous than ever.
“I want to thank Ford for this generous donation,” said Patrick Suddath, Superintendent of Bandelier National Monument. “Over the last 20 years, warmer temperatures and stronger winds have resulted in bigger fires that are harder to predict and manage. These more resource-intensive fires have a real impact on Bandelier's firefighting corps, and this donation will help us manage fires better. It will also help to minimize impact to the park’s affiliated tribes, who have traditionally used park land for cultural, economic, and spiritual reasons.”
This Bronco firefighting rig is equipped with a state-of-the-art government communication system, including satellite and antenna connections, a drone with live feed screens on the vehicle, and specialized hardware like a grille guard, a factory-installed Warn winch, a set of beadlock wheels, and a roof rack fitted with a light bar, search and emergency lights and siren.?
“The Bronco wildland firefighting command rig is like the ultimate communications hub with G.O.A.T. modes®," said Rivers. "It’s a four-door mountain goat made to carry firefighting rangers so they can quickly coordinate where emergency units need to be.”
With the powerful capability and technology of this firefighting Bronco, the team at Bandelier National Monument are sure to feel better equipped to tackle dangerous fires at this historic site.