Fire
Photo by Sublette County Fire.
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Fires keep firefighters busy
by Sublette County Unified Fire
April 16, 2015
On Tuesday April 14, 2015, at approximately 3:30 PM Sublette County Unified Fire was notified by Sublette County Dispatch of a reported fire off Highway 352 two miles north of Highway 191 near Cora. Three Unified Fire Battalions; Pinedale, Daniel and Kendall Valley, responded to the reported fire. While Unified Fire was trying to contain and control the initial fire, Sublette County Dispatch received a report of a second fire, this time a structure fire, in the Green River Ranches area. Available firefighters and equipment from the initial fire near Cora were reassigned and responded to the Green River Ranches fire along with additional firefighters and equipment from the remaining six additional Sublette County Unified Fire Battalions.
The weather was a big factor in fighting both of the fires. High winds with extreme gusts caused significant problems for firefighting efforts. Wind speeds were sustained at 40 mph with gusts as high as 54 mph. Upon arrival at the Green River Ranches fire, Unified Fire found the house to be fully engulfed in fire mainly due to the high wind conditions. Unified Firefighters took a defensive stance and concentrated on protecting the surrounding buildings to make sure the fire did not spread. The wind conditions were also a factor in controlling the Cora fire and preventing the fire from spreading to the surrounding pastures, sage brush, and adjacent structures.
Due to the hard work and cooperative efforts of over 40 volunteer firefighters from all six Sublette County Unified Fire Battalions, both wind driven fires were contained and extinguished in a safe and efficient manner. Unified Fire extends its appreciation for the assistance from Sublette County Road and Bridge for providing heavy equipment; Sublette County EMS for providing assistancewith the rehab trailer; Sublette County Sheriff’s Office for the assistance with site access and control, and Sublette County Emergency Management for logistical support and management.
In an effort to ensure additional assistance was available if necessary, neighboring fire departments from Lincoln, Teton and Sweetwater Counties were notified and asked to respond if requested. No injuries occurred at either fire. Both fires are currently under investigation with no additional information immediately available regarding what caused the fires.
Authority
Shad Cooper
Sublette County Fire Chief/Fire Warden
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