Colfax units respond to Trunkey Road fire

ST. JOHN—Colfax Fire Department was dispatched to a fire just off Trunkey Road between St. John and Steptoe Aug. 19. Three trucks from Colfax responded, joined two trucks each from Steptoe and District 7 Rosalia in assisting District 2.

“I’m glad we live where we do,” said District 2 Fire Chief Steve Gibson, crediting the success in containing and extinguishing the fire to the aid from the other districts, unsure if the district could have handled it on its own.

Prior to the Trunkey Road fire call, St. John units had been called to a fire in the Lamont area. The units were between St. John and Ewan when they received the second call.

The Trunkey Road fire was ignited off sparks created when a combine auger snagged on a low-hanging power line. According to Gibson, the fire burned a couple of acres of spring wheat, stubble, some standing pine trees and a small barn. A house and shop were threatened by the blaze, but fire responders were able to save the structures.

The fire page went out about 1:05 p.m. St. John units finished about 9 p.m. Colfax units were logged back home at 3:06 p.m.