The Hungry Horse Volunteer Fire Department underwent a changing of the guard late last month when Jared Lako and Tyler Lentz took over as fire chief and assistant chief, respectively, for the department’s previous long-standing leadership.
The two men replaced Junior Nelson, who served as the district’s fire chief for the last 34 years, and Pat Clanton, who served as Nelson’s assistant chief for nearly 15 of those years.
Nelson and Clanton are likely to stay on with the department in some capacity, but both were ready to pass the torch and take on roles of lesser responsibility, said Lako.
Lako, 38, has been part of the Hungry Horse Volunteer Fire Department for more than half of his life, serving as a firefighter on the force for nearly 20 years and holding the title of Captain for the last 12. He currently works as an evidence technician for the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.