Alarm Type: Structure Fire
Alarm Time: 20:34
Units Arrival Time: 20:51
Units Cleared: 23:00
Fire Out: Hay will burn for some time
Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue was dispatched to 38235 County Road 33 for the report of a barn on fire. Initial response required the on duty Engine staffed by 3 people to clear from one of the two medical calls that were running concurrently. An additional call for off duty personnel brought 3 firefighters to staff 2 water tenders (2000 gallon rural water supply engines) and one chief vehicle. Updates from dispatch included that the barn was filled with 3 tons of hay, 3 pigs, a tractor and that the nearby airplane hangar with a residence was also potentially on fire. A mutual aid request was sent out to West Routt Fire who responded with One Engine and One Water Tender. After one ambulance finished transporting their patient to the hospital they responded to the scene while the second ambulance responded to additional calls for service in the city of Steamboat.
Upon arriving on scene acting Captain Paul Gilbertson determined that one barn was fully involved in fire, all animals had been evacuated and initial attack would be directed at knocking down the flames so they did not impinge upon the nearby propane tank or other structures. Captain Gilbertson directed his one on scene fire fighter to deploy a large diameter hose and attempt to knock down the flames. Upon arrival of the ambulance the fire crew increased to 3 and the fire fighters were able to take a more active role in moving the 2.5 inch diameter hose and spray water and foam on the fire. Steamboat Fire’s 2 Tenders and West Routt Fire’s one Tender shuttled water from the nearest hydrant at Ferrell Gas to the fire scene (7.5 mile round trip). The West Routt Fire Engine was released in order to be available to cover calls in their own district.
After 2 hours of spraying 13,000 gallons of water and foam on the fire acting Captain Gilbertson and the barn owner determined that the fire was sufficiently knocked down and contained. Due to the large amount of hay the homeowner will be monitoring the fire as it will be smoldering for several days. The cause of the fire is under investigation with the barn and contents being a total loss. Any further questions can be directed to Fire Marshall Doug Shafer 970-879-7170.