Firefighters Alec Hansen, Shane Deranleau and Gerrit Pedersen stand by Engine 6-1. Hansen and Deranleau are from the Dell Rapids Volunteer Fire Department and Pedersen is with the Colton Fire and Rescue. The three firefighters were sent on a two-week assignment to the Black Hills area combatting forest fires. (Photo/Submitted)

Abby Mitchell | Staff Intern

This past Friday, members of the Colton Fire and Rescue and neighboring fire stations returned from a temporary assignment in the Black Hills. The volunteer firefighters left for the Hills on June 30 after an order was sent out by the state requesting outside assistance. Four firefighters total were sent on the two-week order, along with the department’s Engine 6-1. Volunteer Firefighter Geritt Pedersen served as engine boss for the duration of the order. Accompanying him were firefighters Alec Hansen and Shane Deranleau who are with the Dell Rapids Volunteer Fire Department, with Wade Egger arriving on the July 7 to swap with Deranleau.
The assignment was part of a larger process known as pre-staging fire resources. With a limited number of fire engines available locally within the Hills, the state will call in outside resources in order to increase coverage within the area. The goal of the operation is to keep forest fires under a couple acres. Additionally, the firefighters work to prevent sparks from establishing themselves beyond a few acres, as a larger fire could lead to even greater cost and damage in putting it out.
Pre-staging is used only when fire chances are higher than normal. Weather conditions must meet certain criteria, such as blistering heat or extreme drought. Unfortunately, a remarkably dry summer has risen fire chances to a hazardous level, leaving local fire departments around the state ready to answer the call for more help in the Hills.
The Colton firefighters had their engine stationed mainly in Custer State Park. Their duties included patrolling fire trails and removing upended or capsized trees. During the course of their order, the engine responded to four separate fires, most of them caused by lightning. Thankfully, all of the blazes were under an acre and caused minimal damage.
Now, with the engine and firefighters returned, the Colton Fire and Rescue is gearing up for their annual free-will donation pork loin dinner, a tradition in line with Colton Country Days. The dinner will kick off this Saturday, July 24, at Taobi Hall, after the Colton Country Days parade at 10 am. The pork loin dinner will have the options of carryout, dine in or drive-through.