Colorado Springs firefighters help battle fires burning out west

The Colorado Springs Fire Department has sent eight of its firefighters to help fight fires burning out west. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says it sent an engine and four wildland firefighters.

Federal resources and firefighters in neighboring states have been pouring in to assist.

Three firefighters have died in a fire burning in Washington. Their truck crashed near the wildfire and the flames moved on top of them. One firefighter made it out of the truck alive, but is now fighting for his life. Sixty percent of his body is covered in burns.

Lt. Brad Starling with CSFD said his department has been in contact with the firefighters out west. Firefighters in Colorado Springs act as liaisons, helping them get equipment and resources, as well as keeping the deployed firefighters’ families in the loop about their conditions.

“There is probably a little angst and anxiety from, especially, when you hear of firefighter deaths in the region they were fighting,” said Starling.

Starling worked as a firefighter in the Hayman, Black Forest and Waldo Canyon fires. He said the work is physically demanding.

“Crews can be expected to hike several miles a day just to get to the fire. And then once they arrive on the fire, they have to do their days-worth of work and then hike out,” said Starling.

Starling said the work is also emotionally draining.

“It’s hard to be away from your family because it may be your house that’s next and your family that is next. There are certainly ups and downs emotionally,” said Starling.

He said news that three firefighters died in Washington has had an impact on the entire firefighting community.

“That happens, unfortunately, in places all throughout the country. Whenever we hear that, we start thinking about them and their families,” said Starling.

There are other local firefighters helping out west. The Pike Hotshot team is in Idaho battling a wildfire. Also, Fountain Fire Department senta crew to help in Washington state and another crew to California.