Responders undoubtedly saved lives

The wind is still blowing and flames are still threatening homes. In this moment, the wind still howls and our newsroom smells of the smoke our photographer brought in on his jacket after returning from Cedar Hills subdivision fire.

Still it seems clear that the losses from this day could have been much, much worse.

So far, only property and no lives have been lost.

We are saddened to hear that a couple of firefighters battling the blaze required medical treatment, but remain grateful that these volunteers weren’t killed or seriously injured while working on our behalf.

It is familiar ground for us to offer our gratitude and pay our respects as a community to the men and women who risk their lives and safety to do this work.

This is no ordinary day and these are not ordinary people. The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning through this afternoon, with gusts to 80 mph. It’s hard work just to take a few steps in wind like that. Smoke and particulates in the air prompted the Mat-Su Borough to issue an air quality warning. The borough suggests people who can should stay inside and out of the weather.

In these conditions, dozens of our neighbors responded as volunteer firefighters from Palmer, Houston, West Lakes and Central Mat-Su fire departments. They battled the wind and flames all day and in to the night.

They evacuated a neighborhood, closed down roads and without a doubt saved lives.

Fires don’t happen only on nice days. In all kinds of weather, day and night, these men and women volunteer to come to our aid.

In fact, Emergency Services is the largest department within the borough. And while these volunteers receive a stipend for responding and training to do this work, most also have full-time jobs. Kudos also to the local business people who accommodate these heroes’ fragmented work schedules.

The Mat-Su Valley is home to many heroes: Soldiers who endured the unsavory flavors of war to keep us safe, and police who never know when they walk up to a car door or knock at a house whether the person on the other side will pull a weapon and fire.

Emergency Services crews respond to all kinds of calls. They roll out with Alaska State Troopers to help motorists trapped in vehicle accidents. They respond at 3 a.m. when a trailer in downtown Talkeetna catches fire suspiciously.

We can’t imagine the chaos and loss of life that would have surely occurred stemming from Thursday’s fire if not for these hearty heroes.

Again, we tip our hats to you and wish for the winds to calm, the fires to die out and a good night’s sleep for all of you hardworking volunteers.

Thank you all and good job!