BLM transfers wildland fire engine to Kanab Fire Department

With wildfires posing an ever-growing threat across the West, the Bureau of Land Management transferred a wildland fire engine to the Kanab Fire Department on Tuesday, July 30, during a ceremony in Kane County. The engine, once assigned to BLM’s own firefighting fleet, now joins the front lines under local command, enhancing initial attack capabilities in one of Utah’s most fire-prone regions.

The vehicle, a 2011 Ford F-550 Super Duty classified as a Type 6 engine, had previously served across BLM’s Color Country and Paria River Districts. It is equipped with four-wheel drive and a 300-gallon water tank, making it highly maneuverable and well-suited for rapid response in rugged terrain.

The transfer was part of the BLM’s Rural Fire Readiness (RFR) program, which allows the agency to donate surplus wildland firefighting equipment—such as engines, water tenders, and radios—to local departments that assist with fire response on public lands. Since the program’s inception in 2018, BLM Utah has awarded 10 engines, 2 water tenders, and 309 radios to 44 fire departments across the state. After a temporary pause between 2021 and 2023, the program has resumed with a continued focus on enhancing wildfire response across jurisdictional boundaries.

Kanab Fire Chief Brett Pierson said the donation comes at a critical time.

“This fire engine gives us advantages we don’t currently have. It will provide us with more maneuverability for use in the smaller spaces we respond to in our area,” Pierson said. “It will also allow us to spend more time helping BLM with fires they are managing. It’s been a great relationship,” Pierson added.

The engine was formally handed over during a ceremony in Kanab, where local and federal officials gathered to mark the occasion. Among those in attendance were BLM Paria River District Manager Harry Barber, Kanab Field Manager Whit Bunting, Assistant Fire Management Officer Robert Lopez, and Fire Engine Captain James Swapp. Robert Lopez as well as Kanab City Councilman Chris Heaton, Kanab Fire Chief Brett Pierson, and Kanab Fire and EMS Association President Spencer Mosdell.

“We’re proud to support the Kanab Fire Department with this equipment. These firefighters are often first on scene when wildfires threaten our public lands,” said Barber. “With this engine, they’ll be better equipped to protect lives, property, and the natural resources we all value.”

The Rural Fire Readiness Program reflects a broader federal effort to bolster wildfire mitigation and response by partnering directly with local departments. While many rural agencies provide essential fire protection for homes and communities, some may not have the specialized equipment needed to fully support wildland fire operations. The program helps bridge that gap, ensuring departments are better prepared to assist in wildfire suppression when needed.

“This engine served our districts well for many years,” said Tibbetts. “Now it gets to continue that service with a new team and the same mission.”

The Kanab Fire Department is expected to place the engine into service immediately, bolstering its capabilities at a critical time in southern Utah.

For more information on the Rural Fire Readiness Program, visit:
https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/rural-fire-readiness-program

Photos by: Nick Howell, BLM Fire Mitigation & Education Specialist