BOUNDARY COUNTY EXCELLENCE: Two men receive honors for fending off fire

THREE MILE — Two local men have been honored by the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office for their role in fighting a fire off Homestead Loop on July 31.

On Aug. 28, Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer and Deputy Brandon Blackmore presented Tom Mackey and Cody Guthrie with a sheriff’s commendation, which is a public recognition of their quick action and assistance in extinguishing a fire.

Blackmore was the first deputy on scene, on July 31, around 11:40 a.m. after being dispatched to the area for a report of a vehicle fire, BCSO officials wrote in a press release. Upon his arrival he saw a red Ford Ranger, which was fully engulfed in flames.

The Ford was parked in close proximity to an RV trailer and a residence. He could see two males, later identified as Tom Mackey and Cody Guthrie, standing on top of a large water truck, operating a water cannon.

Mackey was driving down Homestead Loop when he observed the fire. He knew a fire extinguisher was not enough and called his employee, Cody Guthrie, to get on the water cannon on top of their water truck. Mackey returned to his business, picked up his water truck with Guthrie that was parked about half-mile away with 1,800 gallons of water on board, and returned to the fire.

Mackey and Guthrie used their tank of water to keep the fire from spreading to the house and outbuildings until the fire department arrived on scene.

Their quick thinking and action to intervene with the water truck saved the structures and possibly lives, officials wrote. Mackey used his entire load of water on the fire before fire crews were able to arrive. If Mackey had not intervened, the fire would likely have spread to the nearby structures, officials said.

Kramer has given out several other similar recognitions in the past few years.

“It is to let the person know that something special they did while helping our community was noticed and appreciated,” he said.

He added that Boundary County has willing people that jump in when needed, but often they can miss being recognized for their service.

“The North Bench Fire Volunteer Fire District applauds the actions of these gentlemen,” said NBVFD Chief Tony Shope. “It was their direct actions which impeded the spread of the fire in dry fuels, until Engine 151 arrived to extinguish the fire.”

“If not for their actions, a significant wildland fire would have surely endangered several structures in the area,” he said.

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Boundary County Excellence, is a new column at the Bonners Ferry Herald which will feature community members that inspire others whether through accomplishments, community service or life experiences. If you know someone who is an example of Boundary County Excellence, email us at news@bonnersferryherald.com.