Assistant Fire Chief Dan Retka and Battalion Chief Dan Anderson were part of a Minnesota task force that worked for two weeks to help contain one of the worst western wildfire outbreaks in years. They joined 27 other Minnesota firefighters in challenging working conditions.
Retka says it’s much different than fighting a grass fire in Minnesota.
Their mission changed from protecting structures to making sure fires don’t re-ignite. They spent a lot of time along what was called the edge of the burn line.
“You’d have a big old pine tree that was already burned out, and it sits right on that black line and could fall over into the green,” Anderson said. “So they wanted us to make sure that wasn’t going to catch and spread from there.”
They patrolled a 30 mile front of the Slater Fire in southern Oregon. With a nimble SBM truck built for rugged terrain, they were often asked to help in more challenging hot-spots.
It was a job that kept them busy from dawn to dark.
“You leave camp at dark you get back at dark,” said Anderson. “You’re not sitting in a building anywhere, relaxing. It’s get up, eat, go, come home, eat, go to bed.”
There is a sense of pride in being part of an effort by 1200 firefighters to get the upper hand.
“When we got there it was ten percent contained, when we left it was 65 per cent contained,” said Retka. “So a sense of accomplishment there.”
Local residents showed their appreciation with signs and a constant flow of food and coffee.
“When they found out we’re from Minnesota, they just couldn’t believe it,” said Retka. “Pretty rewarding. To have someone thank you personally, coming up and shaking your hand and thanking you, that’s a big deal.”
Both men say it was a great learning experience and would go again if asked. They credit the three communities they work for, Spring Lake Park, Blaine and Mounds View for providing the support they needed to answer the call.
