This is a different type of danger. These firefighters – they could see it, they could feel it. We had guys coming out with skin red, singed hair, clothes burnt…but they were trying to hold the line so it didn’t move further. –Tom Bozeman”

GUERNSEY—After what can only be described as an emotionally and physically draining week across Platte and Goshen counties, a crowd of local and area residents estimated to be between two and three hundred gathered in the gymnasium of Guernsey-Sunrise High School late Saturday afternoon to hear what officials had to say about the Pleasant Valley and Haystack fires.

Wyoming State Fire Public Information Director Tyson Finnicum opened the meeting shortly after 4:30 p.m. to welcome the community and give a brief summary of who and what they could expect to hear.

Platte County Emergency Management Coordinator, Tony Krotz, was first to address the crowd and spoke candidly about the emotions and exhaustion the situation brought out for him personally. His opening statement of, “I’m not even sure what day it is anymore,” prompted nodding heads throughout the audience, an acknowledgement of how so many people were also feeling.

Krotz praised the firefighters but also stressed his appreciation and amazement at the outstanding response by community members from even the very first few hours after the fire started. His question of “Who knew you guys in Guernsey were so awesome?” brought out instant shouts of “we did” and “thank you”, providing a few moments of levity in what has been a harrowing and stressful week for so many.

Krotz also spoke with emotion as he talked about what the firefighters have accomplished. “These people did things that simply shouldn’t have been possible. These firefighters—these people bled, sweat and exhausted themselves beyond what most people can comprehend, but they are doing it because they love their communities. And that being said, I want to say thank you because this community shows today and this week that they love their firefighters.”

Krotz said he was absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity shown by the county’s communities. He admitted that when he took the position not too long ago, he thought it would be a great retirement job. That all changed this week as he was faced with having to make decisions that took people out of their homes more than once.

“I felt terrible knowing what that meant, but I had to know everyone was safe. We’ve always said if we ever have a fire in this area, we’re scared,” he said.

When the call came for a second evacuation late Thursday afternoon, Krotz said his heart sank when he heard the firefighters were very concerned they had lost control and honestly didn’t know if they could stop it. “I have no words.”

Krotz also thanked the Wyoming National Guard Camp and Red Cross for their efforts. Red Cross personnel set up at the camp to offer a wide variety of assistance to evacuees and in addition to providing temporary housing and meals, the Guard Camp also sent firefighters and equipment immediately to begin fighting the fire shortly after the 911 call came in at 2:02 p.m. Tuesday. 

Krotz also talked about the alerts Platte County sent out after the call was received. “My alerts didn’t get out to everyone right away, but I think we’ve remedied the problem.” He also thanked all the local law enforcement who manned the roadways to help keep them clear for firefighters and to keep the public aware of the road closures. 

Goshen County Emergency Management Coordinator and Fire Warden Tom Bozeman said he had just been in the position for seven months following many years as a policeman. He told the audience it had been a very big learning experience for him and was quick to point out his appreciation for the great coordination between Goshen and Platte Counties personnel. “We train together, go out to lunches and talk about ways we can get better.” He also praised both the Guernsey and Fort Laramie public for the massive amount of donations the fire departments received. “It got to the point that we actually had to tell people to stop!” 

He too lauded the work of firefighters and the extensive help brought in from other parts of the state and country to help local crews.

“People from all over the state and region helped. This was one of the fastest-moving fires I have ever seen,” said Bozeman. “It went from zero to 100 almost instantly.” He went on to describe the scene he witnessed on the fire lines.

“These guys were putting themselves in situations I would not have done as a cop,” Bozeman said, referring to his 26 years in law enforcement. “This is a different type of danger. These firefighters—they could see it, they could feel it. We had guys coming out with skin red, singed hair, clothes burnt…but they were trying to hold the line so it didn’t move further.”

Josh Erickson, serving as the Operations and Planning Chief for the fire, said his role began Thursday. When he arrived the fire was still high in the Haystacks but thunderstorms created the conditions that caused the fire to jump and change directions very quickly that afternoon. On a large map set up showing the area of the entire fire, Erickson said the fire was divided into three divisions that were coordinated as the fire progressed.

By Saturday afternoon at meeting time, crews had finally been able to get control back to the extent that an announcement was made allowing all evacuees to return home. But he cautioned the crowd, saying “We’re going to see smoke for a long time. There are still active areas of fire we’re continuing to work.”

Travis Pardue, serving as the Fire Commander, then stepped to the podium to talk more about the overall progression of the fire from start to the present time. Pardue is a full-time employee of the Forest Service out of Laramie. He arrived late Tuesday. 

He explained how the fire moved so quickly once ignited due to the massive amounts of very dry grass and brush all over the area. In addition to all the grass thanks to a previous summer of adequate rain, the low snow content over the winter did not mat those grasses down, leaving them a perfect fire fuel. Once the fire established itself, firefighters were scrambling to get ahead. 

Around midnight on Tuesday, there was a big wind shift and the fire began to move south toward U.S. Highway 26, east of Guernsey. Officials estimate the fire burned 20,000 acres between 11 p.m. Tuesday to 4 a.m. The direction of the fire changed from south and southwest to northeast overnight.

Pardue also spoke about the resources made available for the fire. “We’ve had great support from all over the state and the country—we even have units from Wisconsin, Florida and West Virginia. Of course, it took them all some time to get here so we have relied heavily on our local county firefighters – and they’ve been outstanding.”

With fires burning in many places across the western part of the U.S., getting resources has been a challenge and with two additional months, possibly more, those resources will continue to be high in demand. “We are still a bit short-staffed but we are making it work.” Pardue said he felt confident about the control they had gained by Saturday afternoon. He emphasized how critical the work done by local crews and the community had been over the five days of the fire.

“At present, we’ve got 30 engines, four crews, two fire modules, three helicopters and observers in place to watch for problem areas.

He agreed that smoke will continue to be visible, especially in the Haystacks, for weeks. 

Wyoming Governor, Mark Gordon, concluded the primary part of the meeting, telling the crowd, “We’ve had a tough summer already.” Noting the locations of other active fires burning across the state, he said, “We’re doing the very best we can to get the resources needed and we are 100 percent behind these efforts. He said he had received a call from Congressional Representative Harriet Hageman saying she was doing all she could to get resources to Wyoming and this incident but also acknowledged “they (the resources) are stretched.”

Gordon was adamant about the efforts for fire control across Wyoming. “We are working for total and full suppression (of any fire) no matter where the fire is.” He also stressed that ownership of the land was not the issue—all fires are worked to full suppression.

Gordon told those gathered to feel free to call him with any needs and praised the coordinated efforts between Platte and Goshen counties throughout the battle. He shared a short story about his own disappointment when a fire burned on his land near Sheridan and that cooperation was not present.

Following the primary portion of the meeting, officials broke into smaller units and encouraged anyone who had questions to speak with them individually. The Governor met with several evacuees, including 82-year-old Karen Anderson-Gillis who lost her home that was under construction off U.S. Highway 270. Because she had no utilities registered at the property, firefighters were unaware her dome house was on the site. He listened intently while he was made aware of her situation and told her they would do anything they could to assist her in the coming months.

While some people visited individually with officials, there were many small groups of community members who took what was for some, the first opportunity to talk to friends and family since the events began. Many hugs and smiles seemed to visibly portray the sentiment that has been felt all week.