Firefighter air lifted from Sunday blaze

On Sunday at 9:48 a.m., the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department was called out to respond to a grass fire near mile marker 8 on Highway 120. The wind driven fire involved 18 acres, along with multiple structures and equipment. The department responded with four wild land engines, two water tenders, a structure engine and 18 personnel.

While battling the blaze, Chief Mark Collins said, the wind changed direction and caused a firefighter to receive burns and blisters to his hands, arms and face. Though Collins was asked not to share the firefighter’s name, he did say he was transported to the Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colo. On Monday, the firefighter’s throat and trachea had swollen a bit, and he was on some oxygen.

Collins said there is no report as to when the firefighter would be discharged, as medical staff is monitoring him to see how deeply the tissue is burned. The chief added skin grafts might be needed.

The fire, Collins said, started after a spark from a cutting torch ignited some dry grass. After initially attacking the fire for 3.5 hours and dousing the flames, firefighters were called out a second time when it reignited, and spent another hour on scene. The fire reignited a second time, and firefighters were again called out for another 2.5 hours to put it out.