North Dakota Forest Service Fire Crew Responds to Colorado Fires - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

North Dakota Forest Service Fire Crew Responds to Colorado Fires

The Waldo fire in Colorado is one of the most devastating in state history, for loss of property and lives.

The fire took resources from all across the country to contain, that includes firefighters from North Dakota.

"There was probably 100-200 foot crown runs coming off trees, seeing that is impressive as far as seeing what mother nature can do, it sounds like a jet-engine as roaring up the canyon... it's something you don't forget that's for sure." says North Dakota Forest Service fire management specialist Ryan Melin.

This North Dakota Forest Service fire crew is used to traveling for their job.

They are retooling after fighting fires alongside much of the rest of the country.

"We can send out a 20 person hand crew to dig line, be troops on the ground basically." says Sarah Tunge/Fire Manager.

Nationally and statewide it's already been what experts call an aggressive and early fire season.

"We started our fire season way back in January, which is unheard of in North Dakota, we're probably a two months ahead of where we should be fuel, moisture, fire behavior so it looks like it will continue on." says Tunge.

For now, they are cooling down back home and gearing up before getting sent out again.

"The images that really burn into my head are just the hundreds of people that are coming in to thank you, they're holding signs up, if you're windows are down they're trying to throw you supplies through the window, they're just thanking you." says Trever Jacobson, fire support technician.

The Waldo fire was 70 percent contained when the North Dakota Forest Service crew left, the Denver Post reports that as of Monday it is 98 percent contained.