04/24/2026
Good afternoon, everyone.
The engine crews, (brushes 1, 2, 4 and tender tanker) of the Long Valley Volunteer Fire Department were dismissed from duty on the Bauman Fire and the Redstone Complex at 8:00 PM last evening (April 24). Multiple members of our department were on scene for all or most of the duration of the event, and our community, neighboring communities and the families involved have expressed their deep gratitude for the department's efforts.
As a department, we are also very grateful to many people and groups who assisted in all different ways to keep everything operational throughout the entire event:
-families who sent and delivered food to the front lines
-neighbors who brought water to fill our trucks in such a remote area
-fire departments that traveled from near and far for mutual aid
-air resources that made slurry drops and aerial spotter/mapping planes (an under-recognized resource- these pilots and crews save more real estate and property than most people will know)
-anyone who helped in some small or large way
Rural fire departments only exist because of people. In this case, the team effort and human resources that went into this went far beyond the 10-12 department members who fought the fire. This wordy post boils down to two words: THANK YOU!
As a reminder, if you have a fire or emergency at your place, call 911.