The Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry Division of Forest Fire Protection is responsible for the prevention and suppression of wildfire on the 17,000,000 acres of wildlands throughout the Commonwealth. The Division maintains a fire detection system and works with fire wardens, forest fire crews and local fire companies to insure that they are trained in the latest advances in fire prevention and suppression. The Division also enters into partnerships with other state and federal agencies to share knowledge and resources.

Pennsylvania Wildland crews are diverse teams of volunteers with solid reputations as multi-skilled firefighters. The crews generally consist of 18 - 20 firefighters and serve as the infantry of wildland fire forces. Working side by side, the crews main responsibilities are to construct a “fireline” – a strip of land cleared of flammable materials and dug down to mineral soil – around wildfires to control them, burn out fire areas, and mop up after the fire.

The Penn Hills Wildland Crew is based in southern Lancaster and Chester Counties, with many of its' firefighters hailing from Peach Bottom, Nottingham, Quarryville and Wakefield Pennsylvania, as well as Rising Sun and Darlington Maryland.

Forest fire crews exemplify the best of the American spirit. They are self sufficient and are expected to work hard, where long, grueling days under dangerous conditions are the norm. They often eat and sleep where they work, without any form of luxury. Wildland firefighters are the backbone of the "firefighting army" and have earned well deserved respect for their skills, grit and determination.