Skid Loader Fire at Merritt Marks 3 Days of Calls for Valentine Firemen

From Friday to Sunday, firemen responded to multiple traffic accidents, a house fire and a skid loader.

Sunday marked the third day in a row that the Valentine Volunteer Fire Department was requested to a fire call.  This time, a skid loader reportedly caught fire at the Cottonwood Campground at Merritt Reservoir south of Valentine while clearing some trees.  According to Cherry County Dispatch radio traffic, those on scene attempted to extinguish the flames with fire extinguishers but were unable to get the fire out.  Firemen were able to get the fire out quickly once the trucks arrived, but there was extensive damage to the skid loader.  According to Valentine Fire Chief Terry Engels, the fire was localized to the equipment and did not spread into the trees or other vegetation.

Prior to Sunday’s fire, Valentine firemen had a mutual aid request for a motor vehicle accident just north of the Nebraska / South Dakota state line at Sicagu Village as well as a house fire east of Highway 83 on Littleburg Road at the request of Rosebud Fire.  Valentine’s crews were turned around with Rosebud’s arrival on scene.  And on Friday morning, Valentine Firemen responded to a two vehicle accident at the “Y” intersection of Hwy 20 and 83 southeast of Valentine involving a semi and a box truck.