Colorado Springs native deployed to ‘Aspen Acres’ fire, away from family for over a week

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Husband and wife Jonathan and Sage Brunk are Colorado Springs natives. But for the past nine days, Jonathan has been away, deployed to fight the "Aspen Acres" fire.

Jonathan is a wildland firefighter for Altergott Forestry, based in South Dakota, while living with his family in Colorado Springs.

The "Aspen Acres" fire is the third fire Jonathan has been deployed to this year. His wife, Sage, told me this is what he loves to do — especially now, giving back to his home state.

“Him being a native to Colorado means the world to him," Sage said. "He loves this state more than anything. Him just being a hero to our state is — I’m proud enough.”

Jonathan and his crew battled the flames for the first few days once he was deployed on Wednesday, July 1.

Since then, Sage said Altergott Forestry has been doing hotspot checking to ensure areas aren’t reigniting.

She said Jonathan has worked long, tiring days — sometimes up to 17 hours.

“He’s doing what he loves," Sage said. "He was born to be a hero, and so I know that he’s exactly where he’s supposed to be.”

Jonathan and Sage's daughter is just 2 years old. Sage told me she has been asking for her dad and pointing to things that symbolize him.

They have been able to FaceTime Jonathan around every other day, and he has been texting Sage updates and photos from the front lines when he can.

Sage said she is thankful for her family as a strong support system while her husband is away.

Read our latest "Aspen Acres" fire coverage here.

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