Rural Fire Department puts Plains under a torch

PLAINS – The temperature of the radiant heat raged 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit as the Plains-Paradise Rural Fire Department set properties around town up in flames.

The crews got to work preparing for the upcoming fire season - the controlled burns a perfect way for the new firefighters to learn the tricks and tendencies of a fire.

Firefighter Pat Erving said the training was successful.

“The training experience went really well. The guys learned a lot,” said Erving.

Rural firefighter Jim Nielson elaborated stating the training helps get the crew in gear.

“The reason we’re doing this is to get training and teach them guys fire behavior – what to do, what not to do, where to park your vehicles and so on,” said Nielson. “In a raging fire they’ll know all this stuff and they won’t get in trouble.”

The fire department set five fires on Saturday – three on Kruger Road, one at a house on Upper Lynch Creek Road and another at the Plains airport.

The team started by splitting the fields of high grass into sections and set up a foam wet line, which helps set a perimeter for the fire to remain in.

By burning into the wind, the firefighters remained in control of the fire and ensured the fire would not get blown out of the perimeter.

The Plains-Paradise Rural Fire Department conducts controlled burns on a request basis.

Erving mentioned that with three-fourths of the snowpack already melted, the fire season should be a busy one.

“It’s going to be a bad year if we don’t get any more moisture this year,” said Erving.

The new firefighters with the rural department also have an upcoming basic wildland class on April 13.

“Without this class they can’t go out on fires,” said Erving.