After a 23-day stint fighting the France Canyon Fire, the Beaver Dam / Littlefield Fire Department welcomed home four firefighters.

“They really enjoyed their time up there, and it was really busy as the fire grew rapidly,” BD/LFD Chief Jeff Hunt said.

He said they worked on a containment line around the fire, and their duties involved fire suppression tactics on the blaze, which burned approximately 35,000 acres due to the inclement weather.

“The winds spread the flames so fast,” Hunt said.

The average 20+ mph winds with gusts up to 40 and 50 mph, plus extremely dry tinder on the ground with only about 10% humidity, fueled the flames. The fire, which was started by lightning, is now 95% contained.

The group of four firefighters were on a Type 3 Engine, while another Water Tinder 2 unit went for part of the time, a total of 14 days with two firefighters. They returned home over the weekend with a celebration of rest and showers. The firefighters on the Type 3 Engine included engine boss Ernesto Renteria with firefighters Michael Montgomery, Easton Knudsen and Favion Valle. The two firefighters who helped on the Water Tinder 2 unit were Larry Lydon and Bradley Sanders.

Hunt explained that the only full-time employee of the department was Renteria, but all other firefighters who went and helped were on call from multiple areas, including Mesquite, St. George and Cedar City.

Chief Hunt himself just got back from serving a medical position on the White Sage Fire near Kaibab, Arizona. This fire destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim and has resulted in over 49,000 acres burned with 0% containment. Again, the winds and dry environment are not helping.

Hunt said that the whole department’s thoughts and prayers are with all firefighters during this time.

“I am extremely proud of our firefighters,” he said. “They have represented our community well and will continue to do so.”