Casper Firefighters Called to Wildfire in Washington

Casper firefighters are assisting in the fight of a massive wildfire in the north-central portion of the state of Washington.

“Three of our firefighters and one of our brush firefighting engines departed, and they were at the fire on Tuesday and have been working the Carlton Complex since that time,” Casper Fire-EMS division chief Mark Harshman said.

Harshman also said it's common for firefighters to help other firefighters during the wildfire season.

“Especially when it comes to wildland firefighting, which is really labor-intensive,” Harshman said. “No one organization has the resources to handle a large fire by themselves, so we have a cooperative system nationwide.”

The Carlton Complex fires began on July 14, and have burned over 250,000 acres in Washington's Methow Valley. Several structures have also been destroyed by the blaze.

Harshman said nearly 3,000 firefighters from across the country have been called to fight the blaze. Federal officials say the fire is just over 50 percent contained.