Gwen Berry
Around 4 p.m. on July 10, a van being driven up the south end of Hartland Road caught on fire and ignited the dry weeds on the east the side of the road, setting off a wildfire with frightening potential to do great damage to homes and properties in its path. As High Prairie residents anxiously watched the billowing smoke and the dramatic action of helicopters dropping water on the fire, the threat of wildfire they’d been warned to expect suddenly became very real. Even those who didn’t experience it firsthand are now taking a serious look at what would happen if a wildfire came their direction.
High Prairie has capable and dedicated people who volunteer as District 14 firefighters, and they jumped on the fire as soon as it was reported. Other fire districts and firefighting agencies weren’t far behind bringing mutual aid and support. High Prairie Fire Chief Tim Darland reported that within a short time “there were approximately 75 personnel fighting the fire [including] 2 helicopters, 1 single seat retardant plane, and a dozer. Agencies present were HP Fire, Lyle Fire, Centerville Fire, Rural 7 Fire, USFS, a 20-person hand crew (ZigZag HotShots), a 10-person hand crew and DNR. . . All agencies worked very well together and we certainly could not have caught the fire without outside resources.”
But catch it they did! They had it under control by 10 p.m. and fire was kept to only 14 acres—quite an accomplishment in the middle of a hot, dry, windy summer. The Hartland Road wildfire may be out, but it’s a reminder that another one could start just as unexpectedly at any time.
NEIGHBORS SHARE THOUGHTS OF DRAMA, GRATITUDE
Lorna Dove, 846 Centerville Highway
(sent via email to High Prairie)
“Words cannot really express how grateful we all are to have volunteers and professionals working together to accomplish so much. My photos don’t capture the drama of helicopters coming in over and over to dump water as well as the plane dumping the retardant and the equipment and personnel that spent hours on the job. I am grateful, too, for the water source where the helicopters were able to reload. Overnight it was so reassuring to see vehicles lights that were patrolling, keeping watch. Many expressed concern about their animals and feared that we would not be able to save them. What a relief to see the smoke become less. Thanks again for the great work fighting the fire enemy.”
Sabra Snow
Sent via email to Tim Darland, who forwarded it to the firefighters:
“Chief Tim,
Words truly can’t express how grateful and appreciative Dave & I are of the combined efforts of all fire crews working the Hartland Fire. Please relay this to the crews for us. We used the situation to practice our stage 1 & 2 readiness. Whew! That was too close for comfort!
If you need me to come and help clean the station, restrooms, kitchen, or doing absolutely whatever else as part of the aftermath cleanup, let me know.
Sincerely with heartfelt thanks,
Sabra”
