Delaware wildfire crew on fire near Meeker, Colorado

Delaware’s wildfire crew is now working on the Wilson Fire, a 300-acre blaze north of Meeker, CO started by lightning on July 7. (Photo by Mike Smith).

A Delaware Forest Service wildfire crew is now battling the 300-acre Wilson Fire, 9 miles north of Meeker, Colorado in Rio Blanco County. Started by lightning on July 7, the blaze is 15 percent contained and threatening oil and gas production equipment. The firefighting effort is under the direction of a Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) with a total of 146 personnel assigned. Several crews are digging an indirect line in preparation for a planned back burn. County officials are expecting thunderstorm activity with possible dry lightning over the next 48 hours and will be watching all areas for any strikes that might lead to a new fire start.

Updates on Wilson Fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5338/

Delaware’s team is comprised of 17 firefighters from Delaware and three from West Virginia. The crew flew from Harrisburg, PA on Sunday to the Rocky Mountain region along with teams from Maryland, New Hampshire, and two crews from Pennsylvania.

Delaware wildfire crew: (from left) Erich Burkentine of Milton, Bart Wilson of Dover, Jeff Wilson of Clayton, Daniel Mihok of Camden, Spencer Valenti of Dover, Nikki Testa of Newark, Nathaniel Sommers of Smyrna, Adam Keever of Newark, Brian Jennings of Harrington, Sam Topper of Federalsburg (MD), Doug Rawling of Newark, Hannah Small of Dover, Tyaire Ferrell of Wilmington, Mark Kammer of Magnolia, Chris Valenti of Dover, Justin Sauble of Dover, and Zach Brown of Lewes.