The Ainsworth Fire Department has added a UTV to its fleet. The vehicle is equipped with a skid unit, as well as a water tank and pump, additions Fire Chief Waylon Schultz said would make it pivotal in rural rescues and fighting grass fires.
“Especially in the spring months when it’s really wet outside, a lot of the times our fire trucks can’t drive out in the field in soft spots because they’re too heavy and will get stuck,” he said. “UTVs are lighter, so you can drive in the wet areas without getting stuck, and put the fire out.”
Schultz said the equipment was much-needed. While the department typically handles 3-4 grass fires annually, he said it responded to as many as 26 in one particularly dry year. Previously, the department responded to those with one pickup truck, and otherwise on foot.