By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER
Fire engine 1244, a command vehicle and five skilled firefighters from the Big Sky Fire Department are on their way to the Los Angeles area to assist in current devastating wildfires. The Big Sky Fire Department was called on by the state of Montana to offer assistance through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a mutual aid agreement across U.S. states.
Fire Chief Dustin Tetrault said that departments like the one in Big Sky are ready for these kinds of calls.
“ Our guys do a lot of wildland interface training for exactly what they’re dealing with out there,” Tetrault told EBS.
The task force will be co-led by Battalion Chief Dan Sheil, and will include four other members of BSFD: Travis Dubois, firefighter and paramedic; Matt George, firefighter and EMT; Matt Kendziorski, firefighter and paramedic; and Chris Mohr, captain and engine boss.
Not only will Big Sky be able to assist its neighbors in California with skilled responders and engines suitable for the urban-wildland landscape of Los Angeles fires, they’ll also return with experience and strategies for future disasters.
“ When the time does happen that we have something like this happen here, our guys have got that,” Tetrault said.
Last year, the BSFD assisted Idaho, Washington and Wyoming, on top of eight fire deployments within the state. The wildfires in Los Angeles are burning both wildlands and structures, making this a diverse experience for the fire department.
“ We see these large scale just devastating wildfires and natural disasters that are wiping towns off the map, essentially,” Tetrault said. According to the Associated Press, the wildfires have spread through more than 62 square miles after igniting just last week.
He added that Big Sky doesn’t have the same type of fire-fueling vegetation that Los Angeles does, but it’s an area that could be devastated by fires too.
“ You get a day like what they have with just historical winds and heat and stuff like that,” Tetrault said. “And it’s just a recipe for disaster.”
The aftermath of these natural disasters is long, Tetrault noted. He said a key practice the Big Sky community can take is investing in fire-safe landscaping. Another resource for residents is Fire Adapted Big Sky, which outlines homeowner tips, fire risk maps and a wildfire action guide.
Businesses in Town Center are collecting clothing donations for those impacted by wildfires. Bluebird will accept clothing donations until Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Belle Cose Boutique will collect donations Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tetrault said it’s meaningful to be able to assist in firefighting efforts across the country.
“ It’s huge,” he said. “And so in our case, our guys definitely know the magnitude of that.”
