Wildland Firefighting

The North Metro Fire Rescue Wildland Team was formally established and equipped in 2000. Fire personnel and equipment have responded in extreme need, starting in 1988 with a response to Yellowstone National Park for a major wildland fire. The year 2002 was a record dry year that resulted in extreme wildland fire activity. The largest fire in Colorado history, the Hayman fire, started on June 9, 2002. The North Metro Wildland Team arrived on the day after it ignited, and served a 2 week assignment, helping to save the Town of Westcreek and the Turkey Creek subdivision.

Last year members of our team responded to fires in South Dakota and Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Team operates three vehicles that can be sent out on forest fires. The first is a Type 1 pumper fire engine which, normally operates as a reserve for the District. The second is a Type 6 brush truck which, normally serves as the District's grass fire engine. In 2003, a new Type 6 brush truck was purchased for forest fire response so the original brush truck can typically remain available for Fire District responses. 

During our record year, the Wildland Team responded to 8 Major forest fires in 2002.
• Snaking Fire
• Black Mountain
• Schoonover Fire
• Cuerno Verde Fire
• Coal Seam Fire
• Hayman South
• Hayman North
• Green Creek

All 2002 Wildland Team fire responses were in Colorado and most were directly involved with saving homes from forest fires.