Northeast Colorado fire departments mourning loss of two firefighters

YUMA COUNTY, NE — Two fire departments in northeast Colorado are each grieving losses of beloved members of their departments. 

Darcy Stallings of the Yuma Fire Department and Larry Wyant of the Joes Fire Department each passed away in the past week. 

According to the City of Yuma, Stallings passed away in a car accident Thursday, Oct. 21. He was 34.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Stallings was responding to a fire call in his privately owned car when his car collided with a semi-truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Stallings served with Yuma's fire department for nine years. He is survived by his wife and two children. The department has organized a GoFundMe to help Stalling's family. It has raised nearly $15,000 in two days. 

The Joes Fire Department announced the passing of Wyant Tuesday, Oct. 26. According to a Facebook post from the department, Wyaant was responding to a fire sparked by a combine in a field Tuesday in southern Tyma County. 

High winds provided a big challenge to area firefighters working to contain the fire with winds blowing from 30-60 miles per hour with the strongest gusts. 

At one point, the winds shifted directions and the running flames overtook Wyant. Others arrived within minutes to help, but by then, the Joes Fire Department says it was too late. 

"Our community is a group that comes together in a time of need. God bless all the volunteer firefighters who came to help stop a fire in such treacherous winds. Prayers are needed for Joes Fire Department at this time. Prayers to Larry Wyant’s family!," the department wrote on Facebook.

According to a report from KDVR in Denver, Wyant was on his way to Stallings funeral Tuesday when the fire broke out.

Monday, the day before Wyant's passing, Colorado Governor Jared Polis ordered flags in the state to be flown at half staff for Stallings until sunset on Tuesday.