Peterson firefighters help Colorado Springs put out nearby brush fire

Peterson firefighters battle brush fire

Members of the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Protection Flight battle a brush fire south of Peterson Air Force Base July 11 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Emergency responders from the base were called into action at the request of civilian authorities to help battle the blaze. (U.S. Air Force photo/Steve Brady)

Peterson firefighters continue support for brush fire

(Front to back) Staff Sgt. Daniel Bernal and Airman Adam Peterson, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Protection Flight firefighters, prepare to refill one of several fire engines responding to a fire south of the runway July 11 outside Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. The fire, which occurred outside of Peterson, required three fire departments to extinguish. Peterson firefighters are trained to suppress fires involving aircraft, buildings, automobiles and wild land. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Jessica Switzer)

Published July 15, 2008
By Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Peterson and local firefighters successfully fought off a brush fire near the joint Peterson/Colorado Springs Airport runway July 11.

The Peterson and Fountain fire departments assisted the Colorado Springs Fire Department in responding to a grass fire around 1:30 p.m. and worked well into the evening to make sure it was contained.

The fire ultimately burned about five square miles of grassland. Roads around the area, including a stretch of south Powers Boulevard, were closed for several hours, but no damage to structures or injuries resulted from the blaze.

"Our first priority was to safeguard life and prevent property damage," Col. Jay Raymond, 21st Space Wing commander said. "Our highly trained fire personnel went above and beyond to make sure that happened."

Twenty two firefighters and three senior officials from Peterson supported CSFD by focusing on containment efforts on the north and east sides of the fire. The job was difficult because temperatures were in the high-90s and winds were changing direction frequently, said Craig Powell, an assistant fire chief at Peterson, but Peterson's firefighters responded well to the challenge.

"Our guys did an excellent job," said Mr. Powell. "We worked with a number of other fire departments and split the fire into divisions, which made our response easier."

Peterson has provided fire and medical support for the airport since the base's establishment. Peterson firefighters train extensively to suppress fires involving aircraft, buildings, automobiles and wild land.