Now that things have settled down, the smoke has cleared and we have all been able to catch our breaths, I thought it would be a good time to start by thanking the citizens of Platte County.
The long, arduous days and nights that our fire fighters put in to fight the Pleasant Valley Fire, you all came together and brought them food and drinks. Not only that, but you also got them handy wipes to freshen up, lip balms to sooth their dry lips, lotion to sooth their tired dry hands, and eye drops and wash to clear the smoke from their bloodshot eyes. You have no idea what these little things do to keep a fireman going, thank you!
The first eight hours of the fire was intense and very stressful, but thanks to our surrounding departments, we were able to save people’s homes. Thank you to the following departments, first and foremost our local departments – Guernsey Rural, Guernsey Volunteer, Camp Guernsey Fire, and Hartville Volunteer Fire Departments. The following are the ones who came to give mutual aid: Camp Guernsey Air Support, Wheatland Volunteer Fire Department, Glendo Volunteer Fire Department, Palmer Canyon Volunteer Fire Department, Antelope Gap Rural Fire District, Chugwater Volunteer Fire Department, Sybille Volunteer Fire Department, Fort Laramie Volunteer Fire Department, Laramie Peak Volunteer Fire Department, Lingle Volunteer Fire Department, Torrington Volunteer Fire Department, Yoder Volunteer Fire Department, Albany County Fire Department, Goshen County Fire Department, Veteran Volunteer Fire Department, Twin Pines Ranch, Hawk Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Jay Em Volunteer Fire Department, Laramie County Fire District, Niobrara County Fire Department, LaGrange Volunteer Fire Department, Wyoming State Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Gering Nebraska Fire Department, Minatare Nebraska Fire Department, Banner Ambulance Service, Glendo EMS, Air Link of Scottsbluff, UCHealth of Cheyenne, WyoLifeFlight of Casper, Platte County Memorial Hospital, Goshen County Community Hospital, Camp Guernsey Airfield, Phifer Field airfield of Wheatland, Platte County Road and Bridge, Platte County Sheriff’s Office, and Guernsey Police Department.
If I have forgotten to list anyone, I am truly sorry, but as you can see, the list is long – but you are all appreciated.

Now for our thanks of certain individuals and businesses that really came forward to give their time, energy and money to not only assist the firemen, but also assisted the residents of Hartville, Pleasant Valley and Whalen Canyon who were all displaced after being evacuated from their homes.
The following is a list of businesses that donated: Crazy Tony’s and staff, staff at Johnson’s Corner, staff of Good 2 Go, Banner Hospital, Platte Valley Bank, First State Bank, Banner Capital, H’s Custom Cuts, Cheyenne Regional Hospital, Bomgaars, Ft. Laramie Bar and Grill, Martinez Tortillas, Guernsey Dollar General, Guernsey Market Place (Super Foods), Thrifty Food, Platte County Chamber of Commerce, and Guernsey-Sunrise Schools. Again, if I missed anyone, I apologize!
I do not have a list of individuals that donated so the citizens of Guernsey, Hartville, Wheatland, Chugwater, and Glendo: a big “thank you so much” for everyone that donated their time and items. We can never thank you all enough!

Thank you,

Chief Jeff Thomas,
Guernsey Volunteer Fire Dept., et. al.