Press Release

 

July 10, 2007

 

250 Mobilized to Fight Blaze, 4 Choppers, 10 Engines, 2 Dozers Assist Efforts to Fight National Priority Fire- - College of Eastern Utah’s Western Energy Training Center

Contact:
Steve Burge (WETC)- (435) 613-5503
Sam Quigley (WETC)-(435) 613-5508
Mathis Fire Information -
(435) 613-4204

Helper, UT: With fires ravaging several areas in the country's arid west, the Mathis Fire in Southeastern Utah has emerged as one of the most dire fires. It is now considered to be at the top of the National Priority List for fire suppression resources. Resources allocated to the 1,300 acre Mathis fire include 4 Interagency Hot Shot Crews, 2 additional crews, 4 helicopters, 10 engines, 2 dozers, and 249 personnel. Officials say it has cost nearly $700,000 to fight the blaze so far, which is only 10 percent contained. The Incident Command team has capitalized on the location and logistical support provided by the College of Eastern Utah's Western Energy Training Center outside of Helper to stage their Incident Command Post base for fire crews.

WETC Director Steve Burge noted "It is amazing to watch how organized this team is and how quickly they respond to mobilize fire crews; they are completely self-contained with meals, sleeping arrangements, toiletries, and communications."

Burge added that Sam Quigley, WETC Industry Coordinator, went with the team Safety Leader to show location of potential at-risk facilities including gas wells, mine gas wells, and coal mines.

Sam came back saying “these people are pros, they are faced with extreme conditions, steep slopes, dangerous ledges, extreme temperatures, and incredible long hours. We are blessed to have them here protecting our communities.”

As of 6 am on July 10th, Interagency Incident Management Team says they have 10% containment of the fire and have an unknown date for containment. The Interagency Incident Management Team would like people in the area to know that within the next two days there will be more than usual smoke in the air and residents should not be concerned as the smoke columns are an expected result of a fire burnout.

According to the Mathis Incident Action Plan, the objectives the Management Team set for today are "to provided firefighter safety, protect the community of Kenilworth and the mine facilities in the vicinity of the fire, keep the fire west of Mathis and Alred Canyons, north of Kenilworth, east of Panther Canyon, and south of Willow Creek, and to conduct operations in a cost effective manner."

If you have any questions about the fire please contact Mathis Fire Information at 435-613-4204 or go to:
www.utahfireinfo.gov.

Media interested in access to the Fire Command Post should contact Karin Odendahl-Zmerzlikar: 435-613-5518 or at
karin.odendahl@ceu.edu.

www.westernenergytraining.org

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