BLM transfers wildland fire engine to Tooele County Fire District

The Bureau of Land Management West Desert District is pleased to announce the successful transfer of a Type 6 wildland fire engine to the Tooele County Fire Department as part of the BLM’s Rural Fire Readiness (RFR) Program. The official handoff ceremony was held Monday, June 30, 2025, with leadership from the BLM and Tooele County in attendance at the Tooele County Fire District – South Rim location.

This critical asset significantly enhances firefighting capabilities in the Rush Valley area and across Tooele County. The engine will support rapid wildfire response on BLM-managed public lands and nearby communities where local fire departments are often the West Desert District Manager first on scene.

“We’re incredibly thankful for this equipment – this engine gives us the tools and mobility to protect our community and nearby public lands more effectively,” said Tooele County Fire Warden, Daniel Walton. “With these added capabilities, we can respond faster, reach more remote areas, and make a real difference when every second counts.”

A Type 6 engine—essentially a brush truck—draws from a pickup-truck chassis. Its off-road agility allows access to narrow, rugged trails and dense vegetation, making it well-suited for wildland fire suppression

“In Utah, rural fire departments are often the first to respond to wildfires, protecting their own communities and surrounding public lands,” said West Desert District Manager Michael D. Gates. “The Rural Fire Readiness Program ensures they have the equipment they need to act quickly, strengthen regional response, and safeguard lives and property.”

The effectiveness is evident in the results. The BLM was proud to transfer a water tender to the North Tooele Fire District last year; according to Walton, less than a dozen of the 180 wildland fires exceeded 10 acres in 2024. Ibapah Fire department received a Type-6 Engine 20 years ago which is still in service today and continues to be a force multiplier for the fire department. Elsewhere across the West, departments in Oregon, Washington, and Arizona have received firefighting resources to strengthen community protection in high-risk areas. 

The Rural Fire Readiness Program enables the BLM to provide excess federal fire equipment and supplies to local cooperators—such as volunteer fire departments, fire districts, and rangeland fire protection associations—at no cost. Under this program, departments typically receive Wildland fire engines, water tenders, radios, and other gear essential to wildland firefighting.

To qualify, local partners must serve a rural community, operate near BLM-managed lands, and maintain a cooperative fire agreement with the agency.

For more information or to apply for support through the BLM Rural Fire Readiness Program, visit: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/rural-fire-readiness-program.

To view more photos from the event, go to the BLM UT Flickr Page.