Outflanking the flames: Soldiers, first responders continue integrated fight against High Park fire

By Air Force Master Sgt. Cheresa D. Theiral

Colorado National Guard

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (6/26/12) - Soldiers from the Colorado Army National Guard's 1157th Engineer Firefighter Company have been engaging in the attack against the High Park Fire near here, the first time the unit has been called to support a domestic emergency.

The firefighters have brought with them tactical trucks well-suited to the rugged terrain.

Unlike more familiar fire engines, their tactical firefighting trucks— officially known as heavy expanded mobility tactical trucks, but affectionately called "beasts" by their crews—roll on eight heavy-duty tractor tires for off-road maneuvering, and perfectly suited to attack fires in remote areas.

“These Soldiers are considered the incident commander's secret weapon,” said Army Lt. Col. Mitch Utterback, Colorado National Guard liaison officer to the incident management team.

From safety of the truck’s cabin, crews can conduct a mobile attack with remotely controlled bumper turrets— water cannons to the average observer—to effectively beat back flames. No hose required.

Followed by water tenders that carry 2,500 gallons each, one team from the unit has used more than 36,000 gallons of suppressants in efforts to prevent flames from crossing Poudre Canyon.

But these Soldiers aren't alone on this mission. They're fully integrated with other firefighters and under tactical control of civilian fire chiefs at two different locations.

"They understand us because of what we do in the military side, and we understand them because of what they do on the civilian side," said Sgt. 1st Class John Schreiber, fire chief and first sergeant with the unit as he described operations with civilian fire crews. "Their strategies and tactics are very similar to ours and we fit in very nicely. We all understand chain of command and span of control, so it s a natural partnership."

A team from the company is helping conduct missions in the Glacier View subdivision, where firefighters were working hard to prevent fire by containing spot fires and protecting structures.

"The first and foremost mission of any firefighter, civilian or military, is saving lives and protecting property, and that's what we're doing here," said Schreiber, who was working at the Glacier View site.

From 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. or later every day, he and his fellow Soldiers and firefighters, representing the U.S. Forest Service, the Colorado State Forest Service and several engines and crews from inside Colorado and surrounding states, are hard at work keeping the embers from crossing over the containment lines they're building.

Those that live in the area have vacated the area, said Schreiber, adding that now the focus is mitigating damage to personal property.

“We can imagine how devastating it would be to come home and find that everything we care about is gone," said Schreiber. "It's not the structure—the two-by-fours and the shingles—that matter, but the pets and the photos and the mementos that comfort that can't be replaced. Those are hugely important to us."

And rest? Schreiber is just one of many firefighters bedding down in camps scattered throughout the area of operations. For these Soldiers, rest comes in the form of sleeping bags and open air, and while they're self-sustaining in nearly every other way, bathing isn't an option. But, showers aren’t the only thing they’ve given up.

"I have a Soldier who is missing a wedding,” said Schreiber. “Another Soldier has a landscaping business that's on hold, and one is missing a job interview and not one of them has complained. They're 100 percent volunteers. These are the kinds of personalities we draw. Every time you see them, they're just happy to do their job. It's a passion."

During wildfires like this, firefighters normally get two day of rest and relaxation for every 14 days on the line - until the fire is out or contained to the extent that an incident commander can start demobilizing assets.

"It's very much like the military," said Schreiber.

And while this was the first time these Soldiers have been involved in a wildland fire, they stand ready to help again if needed, said Schreiber.

The Soldiers from the company are scheduled to assist their civilian counterparts through the end of the month.

Colorado National Guard provides security during High Park wildfire as response to the blaze continues

By Army Sgt. Jess Geffre and Spc. Zach Sheely

Colorado National Guard

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (6/18/12) - When the wild blaze of Colorado’s High Park fire began to exhaust local resources, units from the Colorado National Guard stepped in at the request of local and state officials to supplement firefighting and support elements on the ground battling the blaze, allowing civilian responders a greater focus of efforts, said Colorado Guard officials.

“When we get the call, our guys come running and we bring our extensive experience and training with us,” said Army Maj. Michael McClelland, of the Colorado Army National Guard’s 193rd Military Police Battalion and commander of the Guard security element at the response site, McClelland added that the Colorado Guard had 62 troops on the ground at the joint support operations area in Larimer County within 24 hours of the governor’s official request for support.

Military police officers from the 193rd MP Bn. have been assisting the Larimer Country Sheriff’s Office with evacuations and the protection of personnel and property in the High Park fire, said McClelland.

“We’re very anxious to assist in any way we can,” he said.

For the Soldiers in the battalion, being a part of the response has been gratifying.

“It feels good to know that we’re helping our fellow Coloradans,” said Spc. Daniel Evanson, of the 193rd MP Bn. “This is exactly what we train for.”

And many local residents have shown their thanks and support by bringing water, food and a kind word for those on duty.

Cy Johnson, a Larimer County resident and his family members sat among stacks of For Larimer County resident Cy Johnson and other community members, that meant pooling money and resources to add to a stockpile of food, water and other supplies that now overflow Johnson’s truck bed. He and his family have been taking those items throughout the region to those that have been fighting the blaze.

“We can’t go home, so it feels better to be down here doing something,” Johnson said. “It’s inspirational. All those fighting out here are doing a great job and they’ve displayed great professionalism.”

The Soldiers of the battalion and the rest of the Colorado Guard will continue to support the community as long as it’s needed, said McClelland.

“No matter how long it takes, we’re here for the sheriff's office and the people of Larimer County,” he said.

Guard Members Battle Western Wildfires

By Army Sgt. Darron Salzer

National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va., June 13, 2012 – Citizen-soldiers and airmen from five states are working alongside civilian first responders as they continue to battle wildfires in Colorado and New Mexico, according to National Guard officials.

New Mexico Army National Guard members are still battling the Little Bear wildfire near Ruidoso, N.M., which is approximately 35 percent contained, officials said.

The number of New Mexico Guard members has increased from 117 to approximately 218 since June 11, officials said. The New Mexico Guard has deployed three UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, two equipped with Bambi buckets and one on standby for medical evacuations.

Guard members in New Mexico are also performing roving walking patrols, setting up traffic control points, and handing out information to residents who could be affected by the wildfire, officials said.

Guard members in Colorado are continuing to battle the High Peak wildfire near Fort Collins, officials said.

There are approximately 90 Colorado National Guard soldiers and airmen providing support and performing missions such as communication support, refueling, and security.

Additionally, the Colorado Guard has deployed UH-60 helicopters equipped with Bambi buckets, said officials, who said the fire has destroyed approximately 46,600 acres.

The Kansas National Guard and Nebraska National Guard are also assisting with wildfire suppression in Colorado, each sending one UH-60 helicopter equipped with a Bambi bucket and a crew of nine and four soldiers respectively.

Wildfire suppression operations in Wyoming have concluded in Guernsey State Park, Guard officials said. Currently, two Wyoming Air National Guard members are working in the communications center augmenting civilian first responders.

Wyoming is also scheduled to send one UH-60 helicopter equipped with a Bambi bucket, and a crew of four, to assist with the Colorado wildfires, officials said.