Former BLM wildland fire engine boosts local firefighting capabilities
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Rye Patch, Nev. – On September 27, the Bureau of Land Management, Winnemucca District, transferred a type 4 wildland fire engine to the Rye Patch Volunteer Fire Protection District. The transfer was part of the BLM’s new Rural Fire Readiness (RFR) program, which is designed to enhance collaborative wildland firefighting capabilities by providing equipment to local wildland firefighting partners at no cost.
After over a dozen years of firefighting in Nevada, the fire engine, which holds 750 gallons of water and can pump up to 50 gallons a minute, completed its federal service at BLM Station 21 in Winnemucca and became eligible for the RFR program. Prior to being transferred to Rye Patch, BLM personnel conducted a rigorous inspection to ensure the engine was ready to serve the Volunteer Fire Protection District. Meticulous maintenance records kept during the engine’s federal career were also delivered as part of the
transfer. According to Rye Patch Fire Department Chief Staci Bristow “the RFR program made it possible for our agency to acquire a dependable engine without burdening the county with an unmanageable cost.”
“Rye Patch Volunteer Fire Protection District was considered an ideal recipient for RFR equipment based on their lack of a Heavy Wildland Engine and their ability to meet the eligibility criteria,” said BLM Winnemucca District Fire Management Officer Donovan Walker. Eligibility for the program was determined using the following factors:
- Having an existing cooperative fire response agreement with the BLM
- Serving a rural community or area
- Having wildland fire protection responsibilities
- Being in close proximity to BLM-administered lands and responding to wildland fires in support of BLM when available and as needed.
"We greatly value our Volunteer Fire Department partners and transferring this engine to Rye Patch VFD allows all of us to better protect our communities and wildlands," said Paul Petersen, BLM Nevada State Fire Management officer. “Cooperative partnerships between the BLM and local and rural fire departments are crucial to remote wildfire response on private, state and federal lands affecting grazing, recreational, wildlife and other values important to local economies.”
The BLM accepts applications from local fire departments and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations for available vehicles, equipment and supplies. The bureau will transfer excess items to local fire departments and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations during the fall and winter months, prior to the next fire season.
For more information on the RFR program, please contact Steven Acarregui at 208-387-5685 or sacarregui@blm.gov.
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.