The Baker River Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) is a Type I, wildland fire suppression crew. Since its inception in 1976, the Baker River Hotshot Crew has provided a highly trained, professional, and diverse work force for wildland and prescribed fire assignments. The crew has responded to fires throughout the entire western U.S., as well as fires or natural disasters in Alaska, North Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Ontario, Canada.
The Baker River Hotshots are hosted by the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on the scenic 534,334 acre Mt. Baker Ranger District. The crew is stationed at Koma Kulshan Guard Station. The guard station includes: bunkhouse, training facility, cache, saw and tool shop, and weight room.
The crew is available for dispatch between late May and the end of the fire season, with an average of over 70 days per season on assignments (see 2006 Fire Season). While not on fire assignments, the hotshot crew accomplishes a variety of project assignments. This work includes: prescribed burning; trail construction and maintenance; building maintenance projects; and any other work that is available to the crew.