May 2009
Westview Woods Honored
29/05/09 12:46 Filed in: Awards
Congratulations to Orcas Island's Westview
Woods on becoming a nationally
recognized Fire Wise Community. Fire Wise Community
President Alison Magner worked on behalf of her
homeowner's association with County Program Advisor
and firefighter on San Juan Island, Ron Garner, to
join the 26 designated groups in San Juan County. The
Fire Wise Program is designed to educate homeowners
how to reduce and even prevent wildfire from
destroying homes, property and lives.
Fire Danger on Rise
29/05/09 12:21 Filed in: News
Fire Danger on the Rise.
With sudden warm weather and more outdoor activities, the local fire danger is on the increase. The wet spring has created thicker grass and brush which can dry quickly, creating a ready fuel supply for wild fire. So when burning outdoors, stay with your fire at all times and keep at least 5 gallons of water within reach. A fire is not out until you PUT IT OUT. Use generous amounts of water and stir the ashes to insure the coals underneath are completely out. The firefighters respond to many calls each year for campfire, burn piles and illegal burn barrels that “rekindle” long after the last flame was visible. Outdoor burning closes June 30th each year. However, should the need arise, a county or State BURN BAN could be issued earlier in the month.
This burn pile escaped near Orcas last May 25th, potentially threaten 2 homes. Read your burn permit rules carefully and follow the guidelines so this doesn’t happen to you!
With sudden warm weather and more outdoor activities, the local fire danger is on the increase. The wet spring has created thicker grass and brush which can dry quickly, creating a ready fuel supply for wild fire. So when burning outdoors, stay with your fire at all times and keep at least 5 gallons of water within reach. A fire is not out until you PUT IT OUT. Use generous amounts of water and stir the ashes to insure the coals underneath are completely out. The firefighters respond to many calls each year for campfire, burn piles and illegal burn barrels that “rekindle” long after the last flame was visible. Outdoor burning closes June 30th each year. However, should the need arise, a county or State BURN BAN could be issued earlier in the month.
This burn pile escaped near Orcas last May 25th, potentially threaten 2 homes. Read your burn permit rules carefully and follow the guidelines so this doesn’t happen to you!
Runs for 5-22 to 5-28
28/05/09 12:17 Filed in: Run Report
May 22nd to
the 28th, Orcas Fire & Rescue responded to: 1
non-injury motor vehicle crash, 1 illegal campfire, 2
alarm activations, 4 minor traumas, 6 respiratory
problems and 3 medical emergencies which resulted in
4 off-island transports via AirLift
NW.
Firefighters get Thank You
22/05/09 12:43 Filed in: Wildland
Fires
In October 2006,
Orcas fire was mobilized by the State and responded
to three separate fires in a two-week
period. Traveling over 1200 miles,
they were part of a 5 engine Strike Team for fighting
the fires and a 5 engine Strike Team for protecting
homes. In May 2009 some OIF&R members
visited two of the three communities. Dan Frame,
resident of the Columbia Complex near Dayton,
credits OIF&R with saving his cabin, which
was under construction at the time. Orcas Engine
26 worked from sundown to sun up with Compressed Air
Foam to keep the fire from consuming the
cabin.
All together, the team was responsible for helping to save over 20 structures including 10 homes! The crew’s activities included "burning out" around structures and calling in several helicopter retardant drops ahead of the advancing fires. Only one outbuilding was lost due to these efforts.
Photo taken on scene by Jesse Harris with Capt. Max Jones’s w/ iPhone
All together, the team was responsible for helping to save over 20 structures including 10 homes! The crew’s activities included "burning out" around structures and calling in several helicopter retardant drops ahead of the advancing fires. Only one outbuilding was lost due to these efforts.
Photo taken on scene by Jesse Harris with Capt. Max Jones’s w/ iPhone
Runs for 5-14 to 5-21
21/05/09 12:14 Filed in: Run Report
May 14 through 21st, Orcas
Fire & Rescue responded to: 2 outdoor burning
issues, 1 minor trauma, 1 burn and 7 Medical
emergencies which resulted in 1 off-island transports
via AirLift NW.
Runs for 5-7 to 5-14
15/05/09 13:50 Filed in: Run Report
May 7th
through 14th, Orcas Fire & Rescue responded to: 1
fuel spill, an illegal outdoor burn, a structure fire
at Rosario, a non-injury motor vehicle crash into a
residence, 2 minor trauma, 7 Medical emergencies and
a citizen assist, all of which resulted in 6
off-island transports via AirLift
NW.
Fire at Cascade Grill
13/05/09 13:44 Filed in: Structure
Fires
Orcas Island
Fire & Rescue responded on May 12th to a reported
“Grill Fire” at Cascade Harbor Grill near Rosario
Resort, but when they got there, it was all BUT a
cooking fire! Eastsound Engine 21, Rescue 21, Chief
Harris and seven firefighters arrived to assist
manager Dave Mowrey (who is also a firefighter
lieutenant/EMT) in extinguishing a fire in the crawl
space below the building. The fire started when a
stray spark from welding spread flame to floor
joists. Although hard to access, the fire did minimal
damage thanks to quick response on everyone’s part.
The fire department used the thermal imaging camera
to check for “heat” in the walls and floor which pin
points hot spots. This tool greatly limits the need
to remove sheetrock and flooring while searching for
fire “extension”.
Captain Rick Anda works to open access to the interior wall just above the fire location to insure complete extinguishment.
Photo taken on scene by Capt. Max Jones w/ iPhone
Captain Rick Anda works to open access to the interior wall just above the fire location to insure complete extinguishment.
Photo taken on scene by Capt. Max Jones w/ iPhone
AirLift in Olga
08/05/09 13:39 Filed in: News
AirLift
Northwest is the island’s primary emergency medical
transport to hospitals in our area. The island’s
medical air transport has designated the Eastsound
Air port as the primary landing zone, but sometimes
time critical patients require evacuation from one of
several remote sites. This transport from the Olga
area saved precious time for the patient. But while
the helicopter is in motion, we are required to stop
traffic for safety. Expect a possible delay if you
see AirLift landing near a roadway!
Photo: Orcas Paramedic and past flight medic Mik Preysz stands by while AirLift Northwest clears Olga, bound to St. Joe’s Hospital with a critical patient.
Photo taken on scene by Capt. Max Jones w/ iPhone
Photo: Orcas Paramedic and past flight medic Mik Preysz stands by while AirLift Northwest clears Olga, bound to St. Joe’s Hospital with a critical patient.
Photo taken on scene by Capt. Max Jones w/ iPhone
Runs for 5-1 to 5-7
08/05/09 13:32 Filed in: Run Report
May 1 to 7th,
Orcas Fire & Rescue responded to: 1 alarm
activation, a 2-vehicle crash, 2 remote landing zone
set-ups, 2 Stroke emergencies, 6 Medical emergencies
and 4 trauma patients all of which resulted in 5
off-island transports via AirLift NW.
Runs for 4-26 to 5-1
01/05/09 17:36 Filed in: Run Report
April 24
through May 1, Orcas Fire & Rescue responded to:
1 alarm activation, 6 Medical emergencies and 3
trauma patients all of which resulted in 1 off-island
transport via AirLift NW.
Reminder: All outdoor debris burning in San Juan County requires a permit. A residential permit covers one 10-foot by 10-foot maximum burn pile. Anything larger or for multiple burn piles, you are required to purchase a commercial permit. Residential burning permits are now available at the Eastsound Fire Station Tuesday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm and cost only $10.
Reminder: All outdoor debris burning in San Juan County requires a permit. A residential permit covers one 10-foot by 10-foot maximum burn pile. Anything larger or for multiple burn piles, you are required to purchase a commercial permit. Residential burning permits are now available at the Eastsound Fire Station Tuesday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm and cost only $10.