MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala – 42d Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department partnered with the Montgomery Fire Department to contain an off-base fire outside the Maxwell-Gunter fenceline on Feb. 1, 2026.
What began as a call to Montgomery Fire Department escalated into a multi-agency operation that relied on mutual aid and on-the-ground trust, underscoring the importance of strong interagency cooperation.
The incident began when Gunter personnel were notified of smoke coming from structures outside the installation’s gate, about 350 yards from the fenceline. Initially believed to be a possible ground fire, responders quickly determined it had developed into a structure fire.
“When we arrived, Montgomery was on scene fighting a tractor-trailer fire,” said Defonzo Brown, assistant chief for the 42d CES Fire Department. “With the wind conditions, the fire spread quickly into nearby trees and structures.”
As conditions worsened, additional support was requested from Maxwell. The fire occurred off base in a former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compound with unknown materials. The firefighters joined the Montgomery unit in a largely defensive operation. Their unified effort successfully prevented the blaze from spreading to the base housing area.
“Our priority was keeping the fire out of base housing,” said Brown. “Within minutes, crews were working together to achieve that goal.”
While several off-base structures sustained damage, no infrastructure on base was impacted. Road closures in the area were managed by the City of Montgomery.
“Our priority is always people,” said Jeff Ruffenach, 42d CES Fire Department station chief. “Once we determined there were no individuals in immediate danger, our focus shifted to preventing property loss and stopping the fire from spreading. The wind made that especially challenging.”
“Mutual aid is essential for both sides and personnel are key,” said Brown. “If a prolonged fire ties up and another emergency occurs, Montgomery’s resources allow us to backfill and maintain coverage.”