Utah Firefighters Helping In Other States Ravaged By Wildfires
Jul 31, 2021, 11:42 AM | Updated: May 21, 2023, 4:47 pm
LEHI, Utah – At Fire Station No. 81 in Lehi, three firefighters left for a 14-day tour to help fight wildfires burning in Montana.
“Sometimes we find out on the spot, and we have two hours to load up and go,” Captain Jeff Smith of the Lehi Fire Department said. “We have our gear bags all set and our clothes packed with hygiene kits and tents ready to go.”
With 16 years of firefighting experience, Smith has battled numerous fires out of state. But for this mission, he stayed in Utah.
“While these firefighters are away, we reach out to their spouses, partners, families, brothers, sisters and moms. We see how we can assist.” Smith said. “We’re a united family,” Smith continued. “We go to take care of somebody’s yard work or bring in meals. We try to fill the void.”
The Lehi engine crew was reassigned to the Poverty Flats Fire near Hardin, Montana, on Friday. They planned to spend the weekend working with aircraft resources.
Their tour lasts 14 days. If the fires are still spreading, Lehi crews will need to stay a full 28 days.
They’re not the only ones helping outside Utah. Firefighters from the Salt Lake City Fire Department also traveled to Big Sky Country to fight wildfires in Montana.
