Highway 89 serves as a fire break Saturday evening– Firefighters tracked embers
Highway 89 Saturday night. SVI PHOTO/DAN DOCKSTADER
When firefighters arrived from various parts of the country on Saturday afternoon they found the Willow Creek blaze gaining momentum and traveling in a south to southeasterly direction across the Salt River Summit.
The path of fire offered a natural fire break, according to Kade Johnstone, Willow Creek Fire Boss Trainee.
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“When we were driving up late in the afternoon, we saw the trajectory and it was going straight to Highway 89,” he recalled. “Our main objective was to hold that. We put our troops in there.”
The stretch of highway on the summit, known to Star Valley residents as the South End, served as an opportunity for the firefighters.
“When you already have a 50-foot fuel break, naturally made, then holding it was a main priority,” he said of U.S. 89.
He continued, “We watched the fire to see what it was doing, to see where it was throwing spots.”
As the fire moved closer to the road, windswept fist sized embers started to blow across to the Smiths Fork region on the east side.
As this occurred, the fire teams left their trucks, put their packs on and with Pulaskis in hand, chased each ember.
“With it burning up to the highway, we watched and made sure it didn’t spot over. That was our main priority for that day,” Johnstone explained “We had guys watching the green side of Highway 89 and making sure the spots weren’t making a run. “
He continued, “All the embers being thrown by the trees are the main fuel out there. We make sure all the embers are put to bed, so we’re all good for the next day.”
Referencing Saturday’s work and the use of Highway 89, he concluded, “That day, the fire was picking up and torching and running for the highway. We could fight it from the highway and put the fire down on our own terms.”
Sunday was called the “turning point” day by Johnstone. “The next day, with the weather turning and the rain, it was a great turning point to fight the fire direct and put this thing to bed.”
Johnstone said the fire fighting crews were appreciative of the help coming from the Afton Fire Department and local residents who offered ATV assistance and numerous food donations.
