Fire department kept busy

Though responding to several calls throughout the past week, The Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department had a few of note over a three-day stretch.

On Saturday at 10:55 a.m. a call came in about a fire at 540 South Yellowstone. The fire was on the property across the highway east of Wedding of the Waters, and was a threat to structures. Hot Springs County Fire District Chief Mark Collins said the cause of the fire appears to be electrical arcing. He further noted a trailer house had been moved off the property the day before, and wiring was exposed.

The department responded with four apparatus vehicles, a water tender and 13 personnel. The fire burned about 2.2 acres, and was out in about an hour.

On Sunday at 8:03 p.m. the department responded to another grass fire at 268 Lane 12. Caused by a person running a cutting torch, the fire burned about .2 acres before it was put out. Three engines and 10 personnel responded, and the fire was out in about 45 minutes.

Monday at 3:14 p.m. on Nakamura Lane along Highway 20, the department responded with four engines, a water tender and 15 personnel to a fire in a field. In addition to dousing the initial flames, firefighters also broke apart hay bales and extinguished them as well. The fire burned about 2.5 acres, and though no definite cause was determined, it appears to be due to a piece of equipment failing.

The public can learn more about fire and fire safety during a demonstration in Hot Springs State Park following the Gift of the Waters Parade Saturday. The fire hall will also be open for an open house.