Fire Department to receive new engine By Matt Peterson matt.peterson@austindailyherald.com
Speaking of fire safety, firefighting may become a little more efficient for the Austin Fire Department in about a month. The Austin Fire De-
partment purchased a new fire truck, which will replace two older trucks it sold that were nearly the same size. In place of the 1975 Ford Telesquirt and 1995 Pierce fire engines, is a the department will have a new Sutphen 75-foot Lad-
der truck. The truck, with much newer technology, can do the job of both old trucks, according to Austin Fire Chief Mickey Healey. “It’s smaller than some other trucks that we have, but it has the capability of
doing five different functions,” he said. Furthermore, replacing two trucks with one will be a savings to local taxpayers. The Austin Fire Department tries to replace one of its large trucks every 25 years.
Austin firefighters customized the new truck to their specifications, and the truck is being completed in Ohio. Fire Chief Mickey Healey and two others from the Austin Fire Department will fly to Ohio for initial
training on the truck after it is completed on Oct. 24. Then they will bring the truck back to Austin where the rest of the crew will begin training. Healey expects the truck to be fully operational by mid-November.
Preaching fire prevention While Austin’s newest fire truck won’t be ready for view this week, plenty of others will be during 2012 Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 7-13. The Austin Fire Department, as usual, will make its rounds to area schools throughout the week to talk about fire safety and how some of the department’s equipment works. But for those who aren’t in school or can’t make it, the Austin Fire Department will hold its open house from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10 at the fire station. Trucks will be on display, along with firefighting equipment and firehose games for children. More events may be held outside, weather permitting. —Austin Daily Herald
Austin firefighters prepare to attack a fire engulfing sheds and vehicles behind the home of Richard Riles of Lansing last October afternoon. Herald file photo
Risk of fire high in Mower County Austin Daily Herald newsroom@austindailyherald.com
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Incident Command System needs cooperation from the public to help prevent and minimize fire danger, which is at a seasonal all-time high in much of Minnesota. The current fire danger risk in much of southern Minnesota, including Mower County, is high, and no burning permits are being issued in Mower. Recreational campfires are still allowed, however, Austin Fire Chief Mickey Healey urges that locals even avoid having recreational fires. “Respectfully, we don’t want any open burning
right now, just for the potential,” he said. Drought across much of the state continues to pose a threat for fires, and wildfires in northern Minnesota still have not been contained. “We have a unique and dangerous combination of fires that are not yet well contained up north, and a serious fire risk in the south that will continue to challenge local emergency response resources if additional fires should start,” said DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr. Under such conditions, Landwehr urges all Minnesotans to take certain precautions that include: —Exercise caution in all
agricultural operations and avoid operations in fields and roadsides until fire danger improves, particularly the mowing of dry fields and lawns. Sparks from mowers can easily ignite dry grass. Monitor weather conditions and conduct fall operations during periods of higher humidity and low winds. —Avoid target shooting, particularly the use of the popular new “exploding targets.” Firing guns and hitting exploding targets present a high risk. —If possible, do not run motor vehicles or other heavy equipment in dry fields. The heat of the engine and exhaust system can cause fires.
—Follow all burning restrictions. Campfires and other open burning are prohibited in several areas of the state. Check the DNR website for information. —Carry a fire extinguisher when operating machinery in dry areas. —Have a family and business emergency response plan ready in case fire threatens an area near you. —Immediately call 911 if a fire is ignited and move to a safe location. Attempting to extinguish fires under current conditions can be extremely hazardous without proper personal protection. For more information, go to www.dnr.state.mn.us.
Wildfires continue near Red Lake, Minn. Associated Press
RED LAKE, Minn. — A wildfire is still burning near Red Lake in northern Minnesota, fire management officials said Sunday. The North Minnie fire has burned more than 38 square miles. The fire, the largest of several burning in northwestern Minnesota, threatens private land, timber resources, a major power line and a few private hunting cabins in Beltrami Island State Forest. Fire information officer Gill Knight said the North Minnie fire is 30 percent contained. "Priorities are to continue to establish a containment line around the fire and then work on those areas of peat," Knight said. "If we don't get in there and get moisture on the peat, it can actually sit there literally over the winter and then come back up again." Knight said 150 people are working on the fire. He said cold and snow have kept the fire from moving in the last couple of days. Roads in the area will reopen as soon as firefighters no longer need them, he added. SALES AND Firefighters have a fire SERVICE near Karlstad, which RECHARGING forced an evacuation of hundreds of people and destroyed 11 homes and two dozen other structures last week, about 90 percent 409 3rd Ave SE • Austin contained.
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