GOSHEN COUNTY – Hot and dry... these are the chief environmental conditions contributing to wildfires that ravenously consume vegetation and homes alike. Omi- nously enough, these conditions have been pronounced throughout Wyoming this sum- mer. Nowhere has this reality been more brutally demonstrated than in Pleasant Valley, which was set ablaze by heretofore undetermined causative factors on July 30, 2024. As of August 4, 2024, the fire spanned roughly 28,000 acres and was 40-percent contained. The containment efforts received a helping hand from the Lusk Volunteer Fire Department. According to Fire Chief Chantry Filener, three Lusk volunteer fire- fighters assisted in combating the blaze. Needless to say, the task was a daunting one.
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GOSHEN COUNTY – Hot and dry... these are the chief environmental conditions contributing to wildfires that ravenously consume vegetation and homes alike. Omi- nously enough, these conditions have been pronounced throughout Wyoming this sum- mer. Nowhere has this reality been more brutally demonstrated than in Pleasant Valley, which was set ablaze by heretofore undetermined causative factors on July 30, 2024. As of August 4, 2024, the fire spanned roughly 28,000 acres and was 40-percent contained. The containment efforts received a helping hand from the Lusk Volunteer Fire Department. According to Fire Chief Chantry Filener, three Lusk volunteer fire- fighters assisted in combating the blaze. Needless to say, the task was a daunting one.
Filener said, “The guys that went said that it was a fairly challenging fire due to terrain and weather conditions. Obviously, it was hot, dry and windy and the rough terrain made it more difficult to fight.”
According to Filener, local fires have been precipitated by the same conditions. With such widespread conditions widespread present in Lusk, the fire chief expects an up- tick in local fires.
“We’re probably facing as higher-than- average fire season by the end of season,” Filener said. “We have a lot of fuel out there and it’s very hot and dry. I’m going to guess that’s there’s going to be a little higher num- ber of fires than average by the end of the season.”
Yet, the Lusk Volunteer Fire Department
is anything but unprepared for a heavi- er fire season. Filener stated that the department is well-equipped for a high- er volume of blazes thanks to outside agency contributions.
“We work closely with Niobrara Rural Fire District,” said Filener. “They’ve been very good about stock- ing us with good equipment this season.”
Of course, the best way to fight a fire is
to prevent it from happening in the first place. Filener explained that prevention typically entails pruning those natural materials that act as fuels for fires.
Filener said, “As far as residential preparedness is concerned, especially in the rural areas, trimming up fuels around your residence and keeping the grass and tree limbs short makes a huge difference. Any moisture you can add to that equation is also helpful.”
Filener recommended calling 9-11 if any residents should happen to be con-
fronted by a fire. According to the fire chief, the vast majority of blazes expe- rienced in or around Lusk have been caused by lightning.
Presently, the Lusk Volunteer Fire Department has a total of 15 members. The prerequisites for membership in- clude residing within two-miles of the town limits and at least one-year of res- idency in Lusk or a letter of good stand- ing from another department. Apart from these requirements, department membership is open to just about any- one who is physically capable of per- forming firefighting duties.
Filener’s membership with the depart- ment began in early 2014. He underwent Firefighter I and Firefighter II training, which was subsidized by department. According to Filener, he was largely mo- tivated by a sense of civic duty.
“It’s a community service thing for me,” Filener said. “You’re typically helping people. Most people who call the Fire Department are at an extreme- ly critical point in their life.”
Those who wish to learn more about the Lusk Volunteer Fire Department can do so by visiting https://www.facebook. com/luskfire.
