Letter to the editor: Alamosa FD thanks supporters

The Alamosa Fire Department would like to express our gratitude for the tremendous support we have received.

Monday the 17th began with a wild fire that began in pastureland south of Alamosa. The fire was started from sparks from a welder and spread quickly in the wind. Crews from Alamosa, La Jara, Mosca-Hooper, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention of Control and Alamosa County Road and Bridge worked the fire from noon until after 9 p.m. Monday evening returning early Tuesday morning to continue working hot spots. During the high winds on Tuesday the 18th, hot spots flared up, causing the fire to spread quickly. As the fire started to grow we began requesting assistance from other fire departments in the Valley as well as Alamosa County and the City of Alamosa.

Based off of wind speed and direction a decision was made to order evacuations for the protection of the residents that could be in the fire’s path. Making the decision to evacuate is not easy; however the protection of life is our first priority. With the hard work of all of the crews involved and a shift in the wind direction, the evacuation order was lifted. No structures were lost due to the wildfire. The structures lost during the afternoon were due to other causes.

A crew of 21 local and state firefighters returned to the fire again Wednesday to continue working hotspots and fully contain the fire.

Below is a list of agencies and businesses we know were assisting us during the day on Tuesday. We know we will probably miss a few and we apologize in advance for that.

Mosca- Hooper Fire Dept.

La Jara Fire Dept.

Carmel Fire Dept.

Capulin Fire Dept.

Romeo Fire Dept.

Manassa fire Dept.

Monte Vista Fire Dept.

Del Norte Fire Dept.

Creede Fire Dept.

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control

U.S. Forrest Service Fire Crews

Alamosa County Road and Bridge

Alamosa County EOC

City of Alamosa Public Works

City of Alamosa Parks and Rec.

City of Alamosa Administrative Staff

Alamosa County Sheriff’s Department

City of Alamosa Police

Colorado State Patrol

The Colorado State Patrol Alamosa Dispatch Center

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Alcon Construction

Asphalt Constructors

Cooley Excavation

Air em up Automotive

Alta Fuels

Several other businesses and private individuals helped with equipment, food and drinks. Your support and contributions are greatly appreciated.

We would also like to extend a special heartfelt thanks to all of the employers of the people above that you allowed to leave work in order to help in our firefighting efforts.

We would also like to thank each and every citizen of the San Luis Valley as well as visitors to the area. The tax dollars you contribute enables us to acquire the equipment needed for our operation.

Thank You!!

Alamosa Fire Department Staff