Heroic Firefighters Return Home From Western Wildfires - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

MARYLAND - Local heroes returned home from the devastating fires out west.

A crew of 21 from Maryland were sent to Leadville, Colorado to battle raging wildfires. "It was the highest fire in the nation - one of the highest places in the nation. We came from about 43 ft above sea level here and went to 11,900 ft. You have to walk 5 to 8 miles to get to the fire up very steep rocky terrain," Squad Boss Bert Wagner said.

It wasn't an easy task considering the life-threatening conditions. "We would get up in the mornings and it would be in the low 30's - and ice on our tent and we were hailed on," Wildfire Specialist Kevin Massey said. "We had one crew member who had to be hospitalized for altitude sickness," Wagner said. "Had a bag of chips, and once we got at that elevation, where we were working, the bag of chips just swelled up like it was going to bust," Massey said.

Working 15 to 16 hours a day, while gasping for air was one of the biggest challenges. "You're heart's racing and you're carrying a load - carrying 50 to 60 pounds of gear with us," Massey said.

After they contained the blaze in Leadville, the crew take on more flames in Laramie, Wyoming. Working conditions were better, but the fire was much harder to fight. "To see someone picking through what was left of their home - everything they had, it was pretty devastating," Massey said.

Despite the unforgettable hardships, it's the gratitude from residents these firefighters say they'll never forget. "We had a cafeteria set up in the middle school in Laramie and the walls were covered with posters and letters from the children. For me, this is what I'll take and I'll remember this forever," Massey said.

We're told the fire in Wyoming was contained within 6 to 7 days with the help of several other crews from across the country.