Fire near Peterson AFB moves toward containment

Peterson firefighters continue support for brush fire

Airman Brandon Mcgath, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Protection Flight firefighter, prepares a hose from a Peterson’s 5,000 gallon water tender 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)

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 11, 2008

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Peterson firefighters are working with Colorado Springs and Fountain firefighters, and airport responders to suppress a fire south of the joint Peterson Colorado Springs Airport runway.

Thirteen firefighters and three senior fire officials from Peterson focused their efforts to contain the north and east sides of the fire.

They're currently conducting mop-up operations to prevent flare-ups. Mop-up is a firefighting term used to describe the tenuous work of ensuring the hot spots are sufficiently cooled to prevent the fire embers from starting new fires.

"Our guys worked really hard with a number of other fire departments," said Mr. Craig Powell, an assistant fire chief at Peterson. "We split the fire into divisions which made our response easier. They did an excellent job. We were lucky that when the fire started the wind was calm and we were able to place assets strategically along the perimeter."
As the fire response progressed weather conditions changed. "Weather conditions were tough. It was a hot day and the winds were changing," said Mr. Powell.

Peterson AFB has provided mutual aid fire and medical support for the airport since the base's establishment said Mr. David Reynolds, an assistant fire chief at Peterson. The base and city work very closely in a number of situations, and providing fire protection and emergency medical services to the airport is just one long-standing function.

While the type of support being provided today is only called for infrequently, it is the type of support Peterson firefighters are trained to provide. Peterson firefighters are trained to suppress fires involving aircraft, buildings, automobiles and wild land.

Peterson firefighters will continue to work with civilian fire agencies through the evening until full containment is met.