What We Learned
Our community pulled together. Our firefighters are heroes. But there is still work to be done

By Karla Sluis
Herald Special Sections Editor

It was a defining moment in our department and in our community. ... We’ve learned that if we stay united we can deal with this.

Dave Abercrombie, spokesman for the Durango Fire & Rescue Authority, was interviewed for the May “Homeowner’s Guide to Fire Prevention.” In the following interview he reflects on recent wildfires.

You said you were prepared for the worst when the wildfire season began in May. Was the Missionary Ridge Fire what you expected?
This fire took just about everyone by surprise. It didn’t behave like fires normally behave. Drought, overgrown conditions and topography combined to make it very unpredictable. It has been referred to as a “career fire,” and that’s true: It was a defining moment in our department and for the community.

How did the experience affect you on a personal level?
I learned a great deal, especially about the information side of things, and the command-team approach to fire. I learned a lot about how fire can be devastating and sporadic. I learned a lot about this community, and how they rallied together.

Much has been said about our community pulling together during the fires. Were you surprised by this response?
People who weren’t trained said they couldn’t fight the fire, but they could support the people who did. In the whole county and as far down as Albuquerque, people donated goods, time, and services. It makes me proud to be a part of this community.

Many firefighters said this was the most welcoming community they had worked in. What made us different? What is it like in other places?
In other areas, firefighters will go into a fire where there’s a controversy about managing the forest. When the fire came it polarized the community. We haven’t had that locally. We’ve been talking about the need for proper management of public and private land, but everyone here realizes we’re in the same boat.

Firefighters march off to fight the blaze on the first day of the Valley Fire.

How do you feel about the performance of local firefighters?
We signed on 20-some rookies before the fire, and now they have incredible experience to go with their training. The local departments in the Four Corners region did very well. They should be proud of the work they did.

In the spring fire prevention guide, we talked a lot about the importance of defensible space. Did it help save homes, even in the path of intense flames?
Some homes were lost because of either extreme fire behavior or lack of
sufficient resources. We tend to focus on the homes that were lost. We need to remember that there were thousands of homes saved – in large part because they had defensible space around their homes. Firefighters could protect a home and get out without putting their lives on the line.

Should county residents still be worried about the risk of wildfire this summer?
Yes: This may not be the last fire. But with the monsoon conditions now, any fires we get should be relatively manageable.

What kind of action should we take as a community to reduce wildfire risks?
We have to join in the dialogue discussing the best approach to protect our environment, including our homes. What’s the best way to manage our forests, for the sake of the land and wildlife? Now that we have hindsight and greater understanding, we need to refine our approach to forest management. People may not like to hear this, but that means cutting trees down and thinning the brush.

What is the No. 1 thing private residents can do to protect their homes and help fire officials?
Homeowners need to clear their brush and thin trees to create defensible space. And they need to talk to their neighbors and do the work in the entire neighborhood. We’ve learned that if we stay united we can deal with this.