08/10/2026
Hanover and Peyton Firefighters Deploy Type 3 Engine 3511 to California
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2026
HANOVER/PEYTON, COLORADO — The Hanover Fire Protection District is deploying Type 3 Wildland/Urban Interface Engine 3511 and a four-person wildland firefighting crew to California this afternoon, August 10, 2026, for a fire severity assignment in the Mendocino National Forest.
The deployment is being made through the wildland fire resource ordering system in response to elevated wildfire conditions and the need for additional firefighting resources in California.
Engine 3511 Crew
The four-person interagency crew consists of firefighters from the Hanover Fire Protection District and Peyton Fire Department:
Patrick Tepley — Engine Boss
Chris James — Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1)
Elijah Soliz — Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2)
Brandon Read — Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2), Peyton Fire Department
Type 3 Wildland/Urban Interface Engine
Engine 3511 is a Type 3 Wildland/Urban Interface Engine, designed to provide Hanover Fire Protection District with capabilities for both wildland firefighting and incidents where wildland fires threaten homes, businesses, ranches, and other developed areas.
Type 3 engines provide greater water capacity and pumping capability than smaller wildland engines while maintaining the mobility necessary to operate in wildland and wildland/urban interface environments.
During the California assignment, Engine 3511 and its crew may be utilized for initial attack, extended attack, structure protection, wildland fire suppression, patrol, mop-up, and other operational assignments based on fire activity and the needs of the Mendocino National Forest.
A fire severity assignment positions additional firefighting resources in areas experiencing elevated wildfire danger so personnel and apparatus are available to respond rapidly when new fires occur. Instead of waiting for a major incident to develop before requesting resources, severity resources can be strategically positioned where the potential for significant wildfire activity is elevated.
While Engine 3511 and its crew are deployed, both departments will continue to maintain personnel and apparatus at home to ensure emergency response capabilities remain available to our communities.
Wildland deployments provide our firefighters with valuable experience operating in challenging environments while allowing our local departments to support the larger state and national wildland fire response system.
We are proud of Patrick Tepley, Chris James, Elijah Soliz, and Brandon Read for representing our departments and communities during this assignment.
Please join us in wishing the crew of Engine 3511 safe travels, a safe assignment, and a safe return home to Colorado.
Media Contact
Hanover Fire Protection District
Hanover/Peyton, Colorado
