When the Bear and Bennion Fires began to blaze in the area, the firefighters from both the California Team 10 and the Nevada Type 3 Team traveled to Carbon County to assist in the fight.
When the crews came to the area, the community noticed that their base camp was established at the Carbon School District and on local school properties. Many citizens voiced their concerns for the firefighters as they were housed in tents, rather than in hotels, Airbnbs or the like. Public Information Officer Sarah Gracey and Carbon County Commissioner Tony Martines were happy to shed some light on the purpose of the camp.
Gracey began by stating that they just transitioned from the larger type 2 team as the fires ramped down quickly and are now at a smaller type 3 team. The team hopes to transition back to the local fire departments in the near future and as that takes place, there will be fewer assisting firefighters in the area.
She then explained that when there is a fire such as these, there is an entire incident command team that comes in to manage that fire and they have a support area that takes care of those firefighters. This support takes care of all of their needs, from feeding them to making sure that they have showers, restrooms, appropriate places to wash their hands and more.
There are shower units for the firefighters and when there are larger teams, there is a catering unit. Gracey stated that now that they are at a smaller unit, they have been what they deem self-sufficient. They are enjoying local restaurants and they are now at a stage where some are camping and some are in hotels.
Gracey also explained that the base camp serves a greater purpose for efficiency as the firefighters are all located in the same area. This cuts down on travel time, briefing and more in order for the firefighters to do the needed work to control the blazes that they are in charge of.
Another reason for the base camp is that when these teams work on fires, many times they are not in a community, but in the middle of nowhere. No matter the location, the firefighters operate the same and are always given what is needed.
“We are really well taken care of,” Gracey stated.
Commissioner Martines said that the firefighters are a tough bunch of people and the groups are staying together due to their policies as well as dealing with COVID-19 protocols. Many offers have been made to house some of the firefighters, with an example being the USU Eastern dorms, though there have not been any takers.
“Our community has been so gracious to those who are working to extinguish the fires. It makes me proud, but these fighters are comfortable with their accommodations,” shared Commissioner Martines.
