Rich Schenk has trouble listing the names of states he has fought fires in.
"I wish I could count," said Schenk. "I always tell people I have been in most any state that has a potential burning across the great country."
Schenk is a longtime member of the Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew. The team of approximately 60 firefighters travels the country, helping communities fight wildfires.
"When you become a firefighter in the wildland, or really any firefighter, you join something bigger than yourself," said Schenk.
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, more than 46,000 wildfires have burned across the country this year. The CT Interstate Fire Crew has stayed busy, helping to control some of those fires.
The fire crew has 58 mobilizations so far this year, setting a record.