Community turns out for fire safety and fun in Plains

Fred Young Park in Plains was the place to be this past Saturday— especially if you were hoping to dunk your favorite Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) firefighter.

Wildland firefighters from the Plains-area DNRC were on hand to help local residents prepare for the upcoming fire season, and they brought both fire safety advice and a healthy dose of fun. 

The event featured an interactive planning session mixed with family-friendly activities, including a dunk tank where DNRC members bravely took the plunge. Local residents lined up for the chance to send a firefighter into the cold water with a well-aimed throw. 

Some of the youngest and most enthusiastic participants included 6-year-old Maggie Boon, 5-year-old Rafe Bache and 3-year-old Briggs Bache. It was the second year the Bache brothers tried their luck at the dunk tank. 

The first DNRC member to get soaked was Andrew McCalmant, who was sent into the water during a practice throw by fellow firefighter Tristan Carpenter, a Marine Corps veteran. 

“Maybe I should have had a career as a Major League Baseball player,” he joked. 

McCalmant, now in his second year with the DNRC, shared that becoming a firefighter was a long-time dream. 

“I’ve always wanted to have a career in firefighting,” he said. 

Throughout the event, DNRC firefighters showcased the tools and equipment they use to combat wildfires—from basic hand tools to various types of fire engines. Children had the chance to try their hand at operating fire hoses and learned how firefighters communicate during emergencies. 

Terrence Caldwell, a Fire Operations Specialist with the DNRC who has been fighting fires since 2017, said, “I didn’t expect it to be a career. I started out as a seasonal firefighter.” 

Now in its second year, the DNRC-sponsored educational and barbecue event attracted a growing number of attendees — about 40 people joined in last year, and organizers expect even more going forward. 

Jase Sorenson, the local Fire Adaptive Community Coordinator for the DNRC, emphasized the importance of homeowner preparedness. He shared information about maintaining a “Clear Home Ignition Zone”— a buffer around homes that can help prevent wildfires from spreading to structures. The guidelines include keeping all non-combustible materials at least five feet away from the home, thinning trees within 30 feet, and maintaining what Sorenson called “lean, green, and mean lawns”—short, healthy grass that won't easily ignite. 

He also recommended removing tree limbs up to six feet off the ground and maintaining a 10- to 15-foot gap between tree canopies. Sorenson noted that the DNRC offers free home wildfire assessments. Residents can schedule one by calling 406-826-4729.

    Maggie Boon, 6, hits the bullseye and dunks DNRC firefighter Conner Mathews. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
 Tracy Scott   

    Rafe Bache, 5, winds up to dunk DNRC firefighter Andrew McCalmant with his dad Adam Bache looking on. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
 Tracy Scott   

    DNRC firefighter Andrew McCalmant on the way down after Rafe Bache throws a bullseye. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
 Tracy Scott