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Yellowstone National Park
Willys/Howe Fire Trucks
YELL 131735-1 Willys/Howe fire truck in the museum collection.
1960 Willys Model 6-226 Four Wheel Drive Howe Commando Fire Truck. Museum Catalog Number YELL 131735.

This vehicle features a "Jeep" pick-up chassis and cab manufactured by Willys Motors, Inc., with fire equipment added by Howe Fire Apparatus Company. Equipment includes a front mounted pump (500 gal. per minute Waterous Model CF-3), 150 gal. capacity water tank, hoses, and fire extinguisher. Red lights are mounted on top of the cab and left front fender.
 
YELL 131735-2 One of the Yellowstone Willys/Howe fire trucks similar to the vehicle in the museum collection showing how it might have appeared prior to modification.
The body was modified at some point to include the addition of breathing apparatus on one side, railings mounted to the top of the cab and bed, as well as other noticeable changes. At one time, there were five trucks of this style in the park. This vehicle was last stationed at the Tower Junction area, and participated in fire suppression efforts at Grant Village during the forest fires of 1988. Removed from service in 1996, the vehicle's last use prior to inclusion in the museum collection was in the Livingston, Montana "Round-Up" parade in 1997.
 
YELL 131735-3 Another view of a Willys/Howe
Photos:

YELL 131735-1 Willys/Howe fire truck in the museum collection.

YELL 131735-2 One of the Yellowstone Willys/Howe fire trucks similar to the vehicle in the museum collection showing how it might have appeared prior to modification.

YELL 131735-3 Another view of a Willys/Howe "Pumper" taken during the 1988 fires in Yellowstone. Location is the Madison River Canyon where the vehicle and crew were involved in suppressing the North Fork Fire.
Fire in Yellowstone Pineland in 1988  

Did You Know?
The 1988 fires affected 793,880 acres or 36 percent of the park. Five fires burned into the park that year from adjacent public lands. The largest, the North Fork Fire, started from a discarded cigarette. It burned more than 410,000 acres.

Last Updated: June 26, 2007 at 16:35 EST