Morrill County shows support for firefighters 

Morrill County shows support for firefighters 

March 21, 2026Updated: March 21, 2026
Forrest HershbergerBy Forrest Hershberger

BRIDGEPORT – The Morrill Fire Friday was reported at 98 percent contained. 

Friday evening the Morrill County community came out to show their support of the firefighters that made it happen. A soup and dessert supper was held in Bridgeport in support of area firefighters and to offer the community an opportunity for financial support. 

Morrill County Commissioner Jeff Metz thanked the area firefighters for their dedication to the fire. 

“This is a great event. We get to recognize some, some great folks here in our county. We’d like to thank all of our local fire departments: Bayard, Bridgeport, Broadwater, Gurley, Dalton. These guys were amazing over the last week,” Metz said. 

Metz said thanks isn’t enough to show gratitude for the dedication shown during the last week. 

“We can’t thank you enough for the property they saved, and the damage they avoided to people’s homes, ranches, communities,” he said. 

Natalie Teppert and Casey Sides shared what it’s like for firefighters to be recognized. 

“Having the supporters come out tonight means a lot that they’re thinking about us, supporting us, wishing us well. Even through the past week, donations coming in, people just reaching out saying thank you. I’m doing this job not to be recognized. I’m just doing it to help out my community and at the end of the day if I get a thank you and a handshake, that’s worth a million dollars,” Sides said. 

Teppert thanked the community for their support through the week. 

“The whole community and everything just supporting us like Casey said the donations coming in and a lot of people helping whether they’re members or people off the streets coming in to help us, bring food to us, water, keep us pretty well contained while we’re out there through the week,” she said. 

Those attending the event had the opportunity to donate to specific departments Friday. 

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