RIVERTON, Wyo. — Deputy Chief Clarence “Speed” Hartbank, with the Fremont County Fire Protection District, died Wednesday after succumbing to injuries he received fighting a brush fire.
Firefighter Close Calls reported that Chief Hartbank, a 45-year member of the department, was commanding a Sept. 10 grass and structure fire. While he was surveying damage to a ground-level bunker, he fell through a hole and into the fire.
He suffered burns over 38 percent of his body, broke seven ribs and punctured a lung. He was airlifted to a hospital in Colorado and has gone through numerous surgeries since the incident.
Funeral arrangements are pending.