Serving Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and beyond
WEEK OF MAY 23, 2024
VOLUME 40 | ISSUE 42
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Planning for wildfire
Firefighters from agencies throughout the west metro area practice digging a fire line during a May 11 wildfire training at Genesee Park.
13 foothills agencies meet in Genesee Park for wildland fire training BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
In the midst of fighting a wildfire, dense smoke can block the sun, turning day into night and familiar neighborhoods into foreign landscapes. Wind and heat often further
exacerbate the scene. Those atmospheric conditions combined with the effort of coordinating multiple agencies to fight a fire can create confusion and heighten an already tense situation. On May 11, 13 west metro fire and related agencies came together to
PHOTO BY JANE REUTER
prepare for such circumstances. Eighty-two firefighters and other personnel brought 33 fire rigs and related wildland vehicles to Genesee Park for several hours of wildfire training, hosted by Foothills Fire and Rescue. Groups of firefighters rotated
VOICES: 14 | LIFE: 16 | CALENDAR: 19 | SPORTS: 24
WESTMINSTER
among five training stations, each equipped with tools and instructors skilled in structure triage, water supply, line digging, helicopter communications and operating a lookout station. SEE WILDFIRE, P2
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