Employees at two Utah Post Offices stepped up to ensure customers received their mail when wildfires threatened the surrounding communities.
The fires, which prompted the evacuation of about 6,000 people, occurred late last month in Elk Ridge and Woodland Hills, two foothill communities in south-central Utah.
At the Payson Post Office, which serves Elk Ridge, rural carriers made deliveries where it was safe to do so, while retail associates helped customers who came to the office to pick up their mail.
“Our employees have been great,” said Payson Postmaster Ron Mendell. He noted that the office’s rural carriers stayed “much later [with] no complaints at all.”
Two employees who have homes in the evacuated area stayed with relatives nearby and continued to “come to work every day,” Mendell said.
Employees also continued to serve customers at the Salem Post Office, which is part of the Woodland Hills area.
“They are doing a tremendous job in difficult conditions,” said Salem Postmaster Jeff Nielsen. “This is their community and they take great pride in serving them, especially during tough times.”