STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-May 9, 2020-Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue (SSFR) was dispatched to the Legacy Ranch at 35435 East Highway 40 for a report of a structure on fire around 4:45pm. The on-duty crew was the first to arrive on scene and found an active fire burning with one structure completely engulfed in flames.
Captain Hetrick made an immediate decision to attack the fire and protect the adjacent buildings and land. Engine 6-2 established a defensive position while laying out hose to begin the assault on the barn. A water tender with two additional firefighters arrived providing increased water capacity to aid in the initial attack on the structure.
Two ambulances, a second water tender and Tower 6-1 joined the scene shortly after the first crews arrived on the ranch. Tower 6-1 staged on the adjacent road and personnel assisted fighting the fire. Interim Fire Chief Chuck Cerasoli arrived on scene to assist Incident Commander, Captain Scott Hetrick, as crews continued to focus their efforts on extinguishing the fire.
Legacy Ranch, a city owned facility, is leased to Yampatika. The structure on the property is also used by 4-H participants to house animals which were in the structure at the time. Firefighters were unable to save the animals and five pigs, and two sheep were lost in the fire.
The incident saw one tower truck, one engine, two ambulances, two tenders and a command vehicle with 13 SSFR staff on scene during the incident. The structure was a complete loss. The cause of the fire is unknown, and the Fire Marshall’s investigation will be ongoing.
The Legacy Ranch was homesteaded by Elizabeth Hutchinson in 1899. It changed hands several times until 1977 when the Yampa Valley Land & Cattle company bought it. In May of 1999, the ranch became the property of the City of Steamboat Springs as part of the Legacy Project.
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Contact
Chuck Cerasoli, Interim Fire Chief, 970.879.7170, or email
Scott Hetrick, Captain, 970.879.7170 or email
Michael Lane, Communications Manager, 970.871.8220 or email