Electrifying donations

On December 18, Carbon Power & Light, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, and the Wyoming Rural Electric Association made a donation to three area fire departments as part of their effort to support six local fire departments following the events of the Mullen Fire earlier this year.

A total of $30,000 was donated to the six fire departments and was split equally among them. Each department received a total of $5,000. Among those that received donations were the Saratoga Volunteer Fire Department, Ryan Park Volunteer Fire Department and Encampment Volunteer Fire Department.

"We live by and work according to our cooperative principles, which include cooperation and concern for the community," said Russell Waldner, General Manager for Carbon Power & Light, in a press release. "These fire departments helped battle one of the most devastating fires in our state history and this is our way of showing our appreciation for their selfless effort on our behalf."

The Mullen Fire, which began on September 17, consumed 176,878 acres-much of it in the Medicine Bow National Forest southeast of Centennial, Wyoming-including parts of Albany and Carbon counties in Wyoming and Jackson County in Colorado. Wind speeds at the height of the fire reached some 70 miles per hour. The fire lasted nearly two months before containment in mid-November. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

"Tri-State is honored to be a part of this effort recognizing these local fire departments," said Tri-State CEO Duane Highley in the press release. "One of the core values in times of need is support for our communities and this is our way of showing appreciation for those who dedicated themselves time and again to combatting this fire."

In addition to the three Carbon County fire departments that received a donation, Rock River Fire Department, Centennial Valley Fire Department and Big Laramie Valley Fire Department also received donations of $5,000. All fire departments plan to use the donations for equipment maintenance and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

"If you name it, volunteer firefighters need it," said Homer Beach, Ryan Park Fire Chief.

In additional to straining firefighters' resources, the Mullen Fire destroyed significant Carbon Power & Light equipment including 37 poles and three transformers. The cooperative disconnected services to areas affected by the fire starting September 24 but restored that service to all areas by October 16.