Two Laramie residents have found ways to support and help the firefighters on the Mullen fire. One designed decals of phoenixes to give to the firefighters to show her thanks. Another organized a fundraiser to help firefighters pay for new equipment used in the fire.
“I thought about what would be a positive image to represent such a negative moment for some,” said Amie Robinson. “A phoenix is reborn from it’s ashes. I figured a phoenix was the best as I know those affected would rise up stronger and overcome everything.”
Robinson said she wants the firefighters to know they are appreciated and that the community is thankful for their hard work.
Robinson has donated these decals to the fire department her mom works at near Hanna, which is north of Medicine Bow, and donated the decals to the Mullen firefighters here in Laramie.
The decals are either black or red and of a phoenix with “The Mullen Fire” under it in flames.
Jessica Stalder helped organize a fundraiser for the volunteer firefighters helping control the Mullen fire. Stalder said she heard from many fire departments that they had so many food, water, chapstick, etc. donations but that what they really needed was money to replace equipment used in the fire.
“I just saw a lot of people wanting to help and not sure how so I made an easy mechanism,” said Stalder.
Stalder said over $13,000 has been donated through a GoFundMe account, checks and cash. All of the money is equally distributed to the fire departments helping in the fire. These departments are:
- Big Laramie Volunteer Fire Department
- Centennial Valley Fire Department
- Central Volunteer Fire Department
- Tie Siding Volunteer Fire Department
- Vedauwoo Volunteer Fire Department
- Encampment Riverside Volunteer Fire Department
- Saratoga Volunteer Fire Department 1
- Rock River Volunteer Fire Department
Stalder said the fire departments usually do fundraisers over the summer to help in situations like this but everything was canceled or little was donated due to COVID-19.
“This has shown me there are lots of good people with good hearts out there and that is a bright shiny light in all of this,” said Stalder.
Stalder said the receptionist where she works gave $5 with a note which meant a lot to Stalder due to her knowing the receptionist is tight on money. Stalder said every donation makes a difference.
Stalder said there are also many individuals stepping up to offer their land for livestock being evacuated and such.
The Mullen fire is currently covering 176,047 acres and is 30% contained by the 1,215 personnel working it according to InciWeb, the Incident Information System, as of 8:43 p.m. on October 12.
If you would like to donate to the GoFundMe to help the firefighters, here is Stalder’s link: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/mullen-fire-support-volunteer-fire-departments
More information on the Mulen fire can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7208/.
