Official: Incident Command System, volunteers had wildfire put out quickly

"I'm really happy with the Incident Command system," he said. He has been involved with its use all over the U.S. He said the system was used for the first time on this fire, although it has been used in the county on search and rescue.

The way it works is that the first fire department on scene is in command. Then when Forestry gets there, they become the lead agency.

"I work with the fire chiefs, and we assign areas and tasks," Bohannon said. "Everyone knows what's in danger and where they need to be. Everyone is in communication."

He had nothing but praise for the people who responded to last week's fire.

"The local firefighters are volunteers," he said. "They get paid nothing to come out and answer the call all the time."

He said when the fire first broke out, the firefighters kept it from spreading to the houses.

Responding fire departments were Oak Grove, South Carroll County, Green Forest, Alpena and Marble. CERT and the Carroll County Sheriff's Department assisted with traffic control and evacuation.

"County Judge Sam Barr came and moved crews around with his pickup," Bohannon said. "The Mennonites came and hauled water to the firefighters and other volunteers. I'm probably leaving some people out, but everyone deserves a lot of praise."

Last week's wildfire was also put out quickly, in large part, because the fire was attacked from the air.

Forestry provided an air tanker, and there were two helicopters to drop water, one from the Buffalo River National Forest and one from the National Guard.

"I'm so glad I called them on the way to the fire," Bohannon said.

The fire was ruled officially "contained" Thursday at 7:30 p.m., but crews stayed until midnight, and two personnel went Friday morning to make sure there were no flareups.