Wildland fire fighters convene for training

GRAND JUNCTION— Fire fighters from across the country converge on Grand Junction Apr. 4-8 for a week-long orientation for new wildfire fighting equipment. The center of attention will be the Tatra “Wildland Ultra XT” engine. Six Tatra engines will be used in the training, with one Tatra stationed in Grand Junction for 2005, assigned to the West Zone of the Upper Colorado River (UCR) Fire Management Unit.

“This equipment will play a key role in initial attack on wildland fires in western Colorado and eastern Utah,” UCR Engine Crew Supervisor/ Training Coordinator Clay Fowler said. “Having one of these vehicles in the Grand Valley will enable crews to access extreme terrain quickly and safely with more suppression capability.”

The Tatra engine has been in development for several years and innovative features include a six-person crew cab, 6x6 all-wheel drive, central tire inflation system, 2,400-gallon water/foam carrying capacity with pump, and a 425-hp Caterpillar C13 engine.

For more information, contact UCR West Zone Fire Management Officer Tim Foley at (970) 244-3101, or UCR Operations Specialist Chris Farinetti at 257-4800.

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Editor’s Note: The Tatra training media availability will be at 1 p.m. on 27 ¼ Rd. at the BLM boundary. Contact Melodie Lloyd for more information. Interviews and photo ops of the training will be made available.