West End first-responders were on site for three different grass fires the first week of June.
“This annual occurrence is precipitated with green leaves turning brown and unpredictable afternoon winds,” Ken Jenks, local firefighter and EMT, told the San Miguel Basin Forum Monday.
Jenks, a firefighter since 1983, started with Nucla ambulance as an EMS volunteer in 1999, and later joined the Nucla-Naturita Fire Department in 2010.
He told the Forum the first fire of June was in Broad Canyon. The second was in Paradox. About six first-responders went out for each of the calls, and the fires were promptly extinguished.
“In both cases, owners had already done some mitigation, had cleared weeds,” he said. “It would have been worse, if owners had not kept clean yards. Both of them were near structures, and one was near a propane tank.”
While the first two fires were called in, the third involved Fire Chief Bryan Keeton coming back from Grand Junction with others and stopping to help the BLM for a grass fire. That was considered an agency assist situation.
Locally, there’s much mutual aid with the BLM. Jenks agreed the agency is a big resource, as is Norwood Fire Protection District, and sometimes the departments in Gateway and La Sal.
Jenks said fire mitigation is key to saving lives and property.
“Weeding, mowing grass and weeds, removing flammable objects and keeping wood piles neat and tidy can be important,” he said.
He referenced the Moab fire that took place a few years ago, when eight houses were destroyed from a single bottle rocket landing in tall weeds. He added firefighters often feel a bit of stress seeing high fuel loads, weeds and flammable materials, in local West End yards. And, trash barrel fires have burned houses in the West End before, he said.
According to him, the “light and flashy” grass fires are the biggest threats to residents and firefighters and that controlled burns in these parts should really be done in February and March, rather than in summer — though he said that can be challenging sometimes for ranchers.
He said regarding wildland fires, people should watch out for dust devils, a bad sign. Dust devils were seen the morning of one of the early June grass fires. Jenks said they’re a warning of unsettled weather conditions and a dangerous catalyst for grass fires.
“They suggest the possibility of unpredictable gusts of wind that can move a flame front faster than anyone can react to. Evacuation may be difficult and last-minute defense impossible,” he said.
Jenks said escape plans can save lives, and are especially necessary for those with mobility challenges.
The Nucla-Naturita Fire Department, the Montrose County and West End Sheriff’s posses and the Nucla-Naturita Emergency Medical Service are all seeking volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering should stop by the Nucla Fire Hall during normal business hours and inquire about those opportunities. For the Sheriff’s Posse specifically, contact Jack Lee at 970-428-4400 or chiefjlee@gmail.com.
Jenks said starting as a volunteer with the fire department can turn into a lucrative career. He said there’s money to be made in summer for wildland firefighting. For a young person who’s ready to travel and make money, he said it can be rewarding. Anyone who’d like to explore wildland firefighting should speak to representatives of the West End Sheriff’s Posse or Fire Chief John Bockrath in Norwood.
