Local firefighters deployed to different states

Some of our local firefighters are helping out in other areas in our region.

Last week the Idaho Falls Fire Department had 12 people deployed. This week they have nine across Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Firefighters and paramedics are lending a hand in areas that need it.

Since fire season got an early start in the northwest they plan to have crews out all summer.

“There aren’t enough federal firefighters either through the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management to put out those. So the federal government and the state government looks toward local governments to help them. And we’re all in this together because if we had a major fire in this area, we would seek the same help from others,” says Chief Dave Hanneman.

There was a time when the Idaho Falls Fire Department needed additional help. That was for the Henry’s Creek Fire.