Firefighters battle massive grass fire as search efforts fail

During the recent council meeting, the Torrington Volunteer Fire Department reported a busy month with a total of 18 calls since the last meeting. Notable incidents included two fire alarm issues at the local high school, which have since been resolved, and multiple gas investigations, all of which thankfully resulted in no serious threats.

The department responded to two grass fires attributed to fireworks, one occurring on Third Avenue and the other near number 9. In a significant mutual aid operation, firefighters assisted in combating a large fire along Chugwater Road, which burned approximately 55 acres and involved over 50 firefighting apparatus from three counties: Platte, Laramie, and Goshen. The fire was reportedly caused by lightning, and the challenging terrain complicated firefighting efforts.

Additionally, the department dealt with a substantial fire at the TDS landfill, which is expected to smolder for an extended period. Fire Chief noted that such landfill fires are difficult to extinguish and typically require burying the flames until they can be safely uncovered later.

In equipment news, the fire department has received a new AirPact compressor and fill station. However, the Chief mentioned challenges in finding a suitable location for installation due to space and structural requirements. Until the new equipment is operational, the department is utilizing equipment from the Yoder Fire Department to fill their scuba tanks.

The meeting concluded with an appreciation for the efforts of the Torrington Volunteer Fire Department and other agencies in protecting the community from fire hazards.