Altus AFB aids neighboring communities in large wildfire

Published March 1, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Myles Stepp
97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Base firefighters responded to a mutual aid support call from the Blair Fire Department to extinguish a large grass fire about two miles south of Blair, Okla., Feb. 26.

The Altus AFB Fire Department supplied eight personnel including Mr. Harold Bogle, Mr. Chris Alexander, Mr. Terry Huetter, Tech. Sgt. Ryan Boyd, Staff Sgt. Keenan Kelley; Senior Airmen Michael Coghill, Collin Garceau, and Cody Rupprecht, as well as a fire engine, brush truck, fire chief vehicle, and a water truck, all belonging to the 97th Civil Engineer Squadron.

"It was a good experience working with the local voluntary fire departments," Mr. Bogle said. "Some of our younger firefighters got some good experience fighting barn fires, wild-land fires and providing water shuttle operations for the other fire departments."

Teams fought to save and protect multiple structures, including barns and residential houses in the surrounding area.

On-scene commander, Blair Fire Chief Dennis Davis dismissed Altus' aid around 10 P.M.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.