Double Tragedy, Eastern Colorado Loses Two Firefighters Within A Week

One Colorado county is grieving after losing two firefighters less than a week apart.

A member of the Joes Fire Department was killed in the line of duty - while on the way to the funeral of another Yuma County firefighter who tragically died last week.

The Call of Duty

Larry Wyant, a member of the Joes Fire Department was on his way to Yuma to attend the funeral of a Yuma firefighter, Darcy Stallings, who was killed in a car accident last week while responding to a fire call. When the field fire was reported on Tuesday, Wyant, along with other volunteer firefighters in the area immediately responded to the call.

Here's What Happened

According to the Joes Fire Department, a fire sparked from a combine in a cornfield near Highway 36 and County Road T in southern Yuma county. The wind was blowing at 30 mph with 60 mph gusts - and reportedly changed directions multiple times. It was the change of wind direction that led to Wyant being suddenly taken by the running fire.

The assistant fire chief of the Joes Fire Department told KDVR Wyant was out of his truck attempting to get a hose line started when he was overtaken by the fire. Crews arrived within minutes, but, it was too late to save Wyant.

Double Tragedy in Colorado's Yuma, County

Joes, with a population of about 90 people, is located 34 miles south of Yuma in eastern Colorado. Yuma County is mourning the death of two firefighters less than a week apart and it's a grim reminder of the dangers firefighters face, regardless of how big or how small the community is. Fighting fire is dangerous work and we can never express enough gratitude to the men and women who put their lives on the line every day.

Thoughts and Prayers

Our condolences, thoughts, and prayers are with the families of Larry Wyant and Darcy Stallings, the Joes Fire Department, the Yuma Fire Department, and these entire communities. These small Colorado towns are being greatly impacted by two sudden and tragic losses.