Friday evening was a near record time for the Williston Rural Fire Department. As this scene was taking place near White Bridge, there were three other blazes elsewhere at the same time. Earlier, there had been calls to the Trenton turn-off area and to one east of Trenton. Others followed later in the evening. Unofficially, it appeared that most of the blazes were the result of fireworks. Earle Dodd | Williston Herald
"We responded to 16 fires between 3 p.m. and midnight," said Chief Dave Benth.
Six trucks and up to 20 volunteers spent most of the night responding from one blaze to the next. Benth said it is difficult to put them in sequence after 7 p.m., but he said the crews were busy.
The first call came shortly before 4 p.m. in some brush inside the gates of the outdoor theater. That was out upon firefighters' arrival.
"We just responded to one fire after another," Benth said. "Two were in the Scenic East Subdivision. Other fires broke out at Spring Lake Park, the White Bridge area, the 'Red Barn', grassland near Scenic Sports, Hagan School near the new trailer park, and one 12 miles west of town near the TV towers," Benth said.
Williston Rural Firefighters also were called to assist at a blaze near Springbrook Park.
Benth said all fires were less than an acre and quickly extinguished. No injuries were reported. The Williston City Fire Department assisted by providing additional people.
"The guys got it done. They all did a heck of a job," he commented.
He said people need to remember it is very dry out there, and people need to be aware of where they are lighting off fireworks.
It is illegal to shoot off fireworks in the state after July 5.
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