TOWN OF CLAYTON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – As crews continue to battle the Pallet Fire, departments in the area are highlighting the difference between fighting a wildfire compared to a structure fire.
Dozens of fire crews across the state have been on the scene of a large wildfire in Waushara County since Monday.
Most departments in the Fox Valley aren’t specifically trained in wildfire firefighting. However, there are departments located on the Fox Valley’s rural outskirts that have that skill.
The Town of Clayton’s fire department was one of many called out to the 830-acre Pallet Fire near Coloma.
Director of Public Safety Scott Rieckmann says the department was called out to the scene using MABAS, which is the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System.
“We received a call about 2:30 on Monday afternoon requesting a grass rig strike team, which is five grass rigs and the personnel to man them,” said Rieckmann.
Clayton was one of five departments from Winnebago County that responded to the scene. Rieckmann says he and six other Clayton firefighters arrived around 5 p.m.
“We left the woods about 9, 9:30 — went back to the station, did our debrief and then returned home, got home about 12:30, 1 o’clock in the morning.”
According to Rieckmann, most of Winnebago County’s rural fire departments do wildfire training every spring.
“Right before grass fire season starts, most of our fires start in the spring when the snow is gone and the grass hasn’t greened up yet.”
Wisconsin sees an average of over 1,000 wildfires a year according to Jon Kellerman, wildland fire and natural resources instructor at Fox Valley Technical College.
When it comes to wildfire training, Rieckmann says there are different tactics used.
“We have different equipment that we wear, different clothing,” he said. “We try and operate what’s called ‘from the black,’ which is where the burned out area is, so the fire can’t burn twice in the same area.”
There are different challenges when dealing with a wildfire compared to a structure fire.
“Wildfires are typically in more rural areas,” said Rieckmann. “They’re harder to access, there could be ditches, low land with water in it and mud. It can burn up into the trees, and that’s part of what was happening in Coloma.”
A person burning debris caused the Pallet Fire, state officials say. Dry conditions and gusty winds led the fire to spread erratically.
Twenty structures were destroyed and and eight firefighters were injured.
“If you do light it off, make sure that you call your local jurisdiction and let them know that you’re burning,” said Rieckmann. “Make sure you have a water supply there, you can put the fire out if it does get out of control.”
Fire conditions are still present, though the DNR says 99% of the fire has been contained as of Tuesday afternoon.
All of the road closures have been opened, and power has been restored to the area.
Crews will likely be on scene for the next several days.
Comments