The Lander Volunteer Fire Department and Lander Police Department are pleased to report that Independence Day celebrations in Lander were largely safe, thanks to the responsible actions of residents and visitors throughout the community.
On July 4, the Lander Volunteer Fire Department staffed two fire engines and three command vehicles that patrolled the community throughout the evening. Firefighters responded to four fireworks-related calls, including one dumpster fire and three small grass fires. One grass fire was cancelled before crews arrived, and the remaining two were quickly contained and extinguished within 30 minutes.
“We were very impressed with the community’s preparedness and responsible use of fireworks,” said Chris Johnson, Airport and Fire Hall Facilities Manager. “As our crews patrolled neighborhoods, we saw people with garden hoses connected, buckets of water nearby, and families taking the time to use fireworks safely. Those simple precautions made a real difference. We also appreciate everyone who called 911 immediately when they noticed a fire so firefighters could respond quickly and prevent small incidents from becoming larger emergencies.”
The Lander Police Department responded to 30 calls for service on July 4 and 60 calls over the holiday weekend, compared with 23 calls on July 4 and 47 calls over the holiday weekend in 2025. While officers handled a higher overall call volume this year, the nature of those calls reflected a safe and well-behaved community. Most calls involved fireworks, lost or found property, assisting the fire department, and reports of property damage.
“We expected a busy holiday weekend and staffed accordingly,” said Lander Police Chief Kelly Waugh. “While we responded to more calls than last year, the vast majority were routine in nature. We saw very few of the serious incidents that often accompany large holiday celebrations. Residents and visitors celebrated responsibly, looked out for one another, and made our jobs much easier. We appreciate everyone who helped make this a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July.”
The Lander Volunteer Fire Department and Lander Police Department extend their sincere thanks to everyone who celebrated responsibly and helped make this year’s Independence Day a safe one for the community.
If you are interested in serving your community as a volunteer firefighter, the Lander Volunteer Fire Department is currently accepting applications. For more information, please call 307-332-2209.