Central Fire accepts BLM engine
The Central Fire Department in Rigby has accepted a surplus wildland fire engine from the Idaho Falls District Bureau of Land Management.
The transfer is part of a BLM effort to respond to rural wildland fires by giving excess federal equipment and supplies to local fire departments and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations.
BLM officials said it is a valuable trade-off.
“The assistance we receive from our local fire departments and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations is vital to the success of fighting wildland fire in eastern Idaho,” said Joel Gosswiller, BLM Fire Management Officer, Idaho Falls District. “The utilization of the Rural Fire Readiness program gives us the ability to provide additional support in safely responding to wildland fires.”
Central Fire Chief Carl Anderson said his department has assisted on several fires over the year, especially in the Menan Butte area.
“We appreciate the Rural Fire Readiness program and how it helps both BLM and Central Fire respond to wildfires,” said Carl Anderson, Central Fire District Chief. “It will also enable us to help our adjacent county fire districts. We will be able to send more trucks to assist our neighbors and local associations that we support.”
Last week, the Hamer Fire Department received a Type 4 engine from BLM and put it to use immediately to help fight the 64-acre Radar Hill fire last weekend.
