At the end of a 10-day, 2,000-mile journey, all that stood between a team of Arlington firefighters and some much deserved rest was a scrub down of their gear Thursday.
"It's going to be good," said Battalion Chief Mike Shoemaker.
They're part of a strike team the state called in to help battle wildfires stretching from Central Texas up to the Red River.
Because many of the state's fire resources were sent to the Hidden Pines Fire in Bastrop County, the Arlington firefighters were asked keep an eye on other areas in case fires flared up.
"It's the first time we've been deployed," said Shoemaker.
During their trip, they were sent out to seven fires. Shoemaker said one near Killeen really pushed them. It took them two days to contain the fire, which came close to about 200 homes.
"We had a partial evacuation," said Shoemaker. "We had bulldozers in there, we're knocking down stuff, and cutting fire line."
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But it's a fire that burned near Greenville that he'll remember most. While they were building fire lines near a school, students came out and gave the firefighters thank-you cards.
"It was great," said Shoemaker. "That's what we're here for – trying to help out when and where we can, being a part of the solution. It's very rewarding."
Members of the Fort Worth and Southlake fire departments were also part of the strike team.
