Ford Donates Bronco to Fight Fires at Bandelier National Monument

Wildfire season is now in full swing in the United States, and especially in regions like northern New Mexico, where Bandelier National Monument is located, the risk of destructive fire is very high. Ford is currently making an effort to provide relief in this area with the help of the Bronco Wild Fund by donating a Bronco
Badlands SUV to the National Park service. Equipped with the Sasquatch off-road package, this vehicle will 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.”

The Ford Bronco Wild Fund is a subset organization of Ford Motor Company dedicated to increasing access, preservation and stewardship of public lands across the country. To date, the Bronco Wild Fund has donated over $3.7 million towards causes such as America’s State Parks, National Forest Foundation, Outward Bound and Sons of Smokey. This June, the organization’s efforts are focused on preserving the wonders of the Bandelier National Monument site.

Located two hours from Albuquerque, New Mexico, the rugged canyons and mesas are home to evidence of human life going back over 11,000 years, like petroglyphs and cliff dwellings. The threat of wildfire in the area puts these important pieces of history in jeopardy, as well as the beautiful natural landscape.

“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.”

The tricked-out Bronco donated by Ford and the Bronco Wild Find has been equipped as a firefighting rig with a state-of-the-art government communication system that includes satellite and antenna connections, a drone with live feed screens on the vehicle for surveying the area, and specialized hardware such as 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.”

The ever-present threat of wildfire will never be completely avoidable in areas like Bandelier National Monument, but with the help of powerful tools like this Bronco SUV, the teams on site should be better equipped to deal with the possibility. Interested in learning more about Ford’s philanthropic efforts? Keep reading our blog here for similar stories!