Wildland Fires
Wildland Fire at 4-Winds Camp
13/07/09 17:36
Firefighters
mopped up a 12 by 30 foot wildland fire at 4-Winds
camp Sunday morning July 12. Retired firefighter
Miles McCoy, spotted the smoke from his home near
Orcas Landing and called it in. Orcas Fire quickly
responded with Brush Engine 21, Eastsound Engine 21,
Deer Harbor Brush Engine 24, Westsound Water Tender
22 plus 15 firefighters. Deer Harbor Station Lt. Paul
Turner was first on the scene. He was able to report
a small fire and turn most of the response back to
stations. “If this fire had been at 3:00 o’clock in
the afternoon instead of 9 in the morning, this would
have been a different response. We might have been
evacuating homes instead of mopping up…” Cause of the
fire was a campfire up in the woods.
Photo: Capt. Bob Nutt and Wildland Firefighter Steven Siler dig out the last of the run away campfire while Lt. Paul Turner reports to dispatch via handheld radio.
Photo: Capt. Bob Nutt and Wildland Firefighter Steven Siler dig out the last of the run away campfire while Lt. Paul Turner reports to dispatch via handheld radio.
Another WIldfire on Orcas
17/06/09 16:36
Another Wildland Fire on Orcas!
Aaron Patten was in a boat on his way back from Blakely Island when he noticed a lot of smoke on Deer Point. He quickly docked and found the source. It was a hillside on fire, just below a home. He got help from Seth Ybarra, who was working nearby and they both fought the fire with the homeowner's hose and tools. Seth is a new firefighter and had also just completed the district's annual wildfire safety training. He called the emergency in on his district 2-way radio and additional firefighters were en-route even before an exact address could be broadcast.
Earlier in the day, the homeowner had carefully extinguished a small permitted fire. No heat or even steam was rising up from the site by noon and it was checked throughout the afternoon. Confident the fire was completely out, the owner made a trip into town. While he was gone, that fire came back to life.
The fire spread 100 feet up the hillside to the base of the home, contacting it in 3 different places. Thanks to a concrete foundation and good wildland clean up, the fire did not ignite the siding. It moved under the deck area where the yard tools had been set, well away from the burn site. There it burned around 2 gasoline containers, a small brush burner and a weed eater. Amazingly, these did not catch fire although one gas container had begun to melt. Thankfully, a concerned citizen followed up and a firefighter with communications was near by or it could have been an entirely different outcome. Brush Engine 21, Doe Bay Engine 25 and Eastsound Engine 21 responded. However, Seth and Aaron had the fire under control and only the brush engine was needed for "mop up" of the remaining hot spots.
Deputy Fire Marshal Paul Turner investigated the site and determined the permit holder had done everything right. "He'd watered it down and checked it twice before leaving. There was an unburned ring completely around the fire, which shows he had properly watered the area. Which leads me to believe it may have gone underground. That's all we can figure out." (In the photo, Lt. Jeff Jones is standing at the fire ring which shows unburned area around it.)
The unusually dry weather has increased fire danger HIGH, which is very unusual for Orcas Island in June. Because of this danger outdoor burning has been closed early. Small, attended campfire of 2 feet or less are still allowed at this time.
Burned area shows the fire actually contacted the foundation but good clean up and concrete kept it from spreading to the home.
Aaron Patten was in a boat on his way back from Blakely Island when he noticed a lot of smoke on Deer Point. He quickly docked and found the source. It was a hillside on fire, just below a home. He got help from Seth Ybarra, who was working nearby and they both fought the fire with the homeowner's hose and tools. Seth is a new firefighter and had also just completed the district's annual wildfire safety training. He called the emergency in on his district 2-way radio and additional firefighters were en-route even before an exact address could be broadcast.
Earlier in the day, the homeowner had carefully extinguished a small permitted fire. No heat or even steam was rising up from the site by noon and it was checked throughout the afternoon. Confident the fire was completely out, the owner made a trip into town. While he was gone, that fire came back to life.
The fire spread 100 feet up the hillside to the base of the home, contacting it in 3 different places. Thanks to a concrete foundation and good wildland clean up, the fire did not ignite the siding. It moved under the deck area where the yard tools had been set, well away from the burn site. There it burned around 2 gasoline containers, a small brush burner and a weed eater. Amazingly, these did not catch fire although one gas container had begun to melt. Thankfully, a concerned citizen followed up and a firefighter with communications was near by or it could have been an entirely different outcome. Brush Engine 21, Doe Bay Engine 25 and Eastsound Engine 21 responded. However, Seth and Aaron had the fire under control and only the brush engine was needed for "mop up" of the remaining hot spots.
Deputy Fire Marshal Paul Turner investigated the site and determined the permit holder had done everything right. "He'd watered it down and checked it twice before leaving. There was an unburned ring completely around the fire, which shows he had properly watered the area. Which leads me to believe it may have gone underground. That's all we can figure out." (In the photo, Lt. Jeff Jones is standing at the fire ring which shows unburned area around it.)
The unusually dry weather has increased fire danger HIGH, which is very unusual for Orcas Island in June. Because of this danger outdoor burning has been closed early. Small, attended campfire of 2 feet or less are still allowed at this time.
Burned area shows the fire actually contacted the foundation but good clean up and concrete kept it from spreading to the home.
Bobbyann Wildland Fire
11/06/09 15:38
Bobbyann Road Fire
At 2:42 PM OIF&R responded to a reported brush fire at 25 Bobbyann Road off of Crow Valley Rd. near Westsound. Fire Lt. Jeff Jones was first on the scene and reported a rapid spreading wild fire threatening a home.
Brush 21, Eastsound Engine 21, Westsound Water Tender 22, Rosario Water Tender 23, Deer Harbor Brush Engine 24 and 32 fire department members worked together to stop the fire which not only threatened at least one home, but spread to adjacent neighboring properties and San Juan Preservation Trust lands.
Earthworks owner John Thompson offered a dozer, which was working in the area and quickly cut a firebreak around the head of the fire before it could spread into heavy brush and the Turtleback Preservation area.
San Juan Island, Lopez Island and the Town of Friday Harbor provided additional firefighters, which were quickly transported by the Sheriff's boat.
The Department's Auxillary team quickly responded to the fire scene to supply water, sandwiches and then a hot meal for the firefighters.
The fire consumed 3.5 acres and came to within 300' of the Baldwin residence on Bobbyann. No firefighters or civilians were injured (except for lots of blisters and minor cuts). The fire burned in tall grass, blackberries and torched a half dozen tees. The fire marshal confirmed the fire was caused by a burn pile. And although the individual had a valid burn permit, he was burning prohibited materials including fiberglass which contributed to the spread and did not have appropriate water on site. He reported wind came up and blew embers up the hillside.
The fire was contained at 7:30 pm and then turned over to the Department of Natural Resources at 9:15pm. Firefighters worked until nearly 11 pm to return all engines and equipment to stations, ready to respond again. The fire was attended through out the night by the DNR crew who reported no further fire activity.
The SJC Fire Marshal has raised the current fire danger to moderate. This means all fires must be OUT by no later than noon. Outdoor burning closes Tuesday June 30th at noon unless fire danger at the latest.
At 2:42 PM OIF&R responded to a reported brush fire at 25 Bobbyann Road off of Crow Valley Rd. near Westsound. Fire Lt. Jeff Jones was first on the scene and reported a rapid spreading wild fire threatening a home.
Brush 21, Eastsound Engine 21, Westsound Water Tender 22, Rosario Water Tender 23, Deer Harbor Brush Engine 24 and 32 fire department members worked together to stop the fire which not only threatened at least one home, but spread to adjacent neighboring properties and San Juan Preservation Trust lands.
Earthworks owner John Thompson offered a dozer, which was working in the area and quickly cut a firebreak around the head of the fire before it could spread into heavy brush and the Turtleback Preservation area.
San Juan Island, Lopez Island and the Town of Friday Harbor provided additional firefighters, which were quickly transported by the Sheriff's boat.
The Department's Auxillary team quickly responded to the fire scene to supply water, sandwiches and then a hot meal for the firefighters.
The fire consumed 3.5 acres and came to within 300' of the Baldwin residence on Bobbyann. No firefighters or civilians were injured (except for lots of blisters and minor cuts). The fire burned in tall grass, blackberries and torched a half dozen tees. The fire marshal confirmed the fire was caused by a burn pile. And although the individual had a valid burn permit, he was burning prohibited materials including fiberglass which contributed to the spread and did not have appropriate water on site. He reported wind came up and blew embers up the hillside.
The fire was contained at 7:30 pm and then turned over to the Department of Natural Resources at 9:15pm. Firefighters worked until nearly 11 pm to return all engines and equipment to stations, ready to respond again. The fire was attended through out the night by the DNR crew who reported no further fire activity.
The SJC Fire Marshal has raised the current fire danger to moderate. This means all fires must be OUT by no later than noon. Outdoor burning closes Tuesday June 30th at noon unless fire danger at the latest.
Firefighters get Thank You
22/05/09 12:43
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
Press Release – Fire On Clark Island
27/09/08 11:00
Saturday,
September 27th, State Parks, Orcas Island and San
Juan Island Fire Departments responded to a small
fire on Clark Island after a report of smoke.
Washington State Parks arrived with firefighters at
5:25 pm to find a permitted burn, which had surfaced
3 days after it had been shut down. Damage was
minimal and the fire was confined to a small area of
approx. 30 by 80 feet, where roots and deep duff had
been burning underground. San Juan arrived in the
well-equipped fireboat “Confidence” with a crew of 5
and the crews quickly contain the burn. The scene was
turned over to State Parks at 7: 12pm and crews
returned to quarters.
Firefighters cut in a fire line around the burn.
Fire burned underground for 3 days before surfacing
An area of approx. 30 ft by 80 ft burned.
San Juan & Orcas firefighters worked together
Fire was confined to small area of heavy brush
SJ Fire responded with the Fire boat “Confidence” & brought water
to the scene
Orcas Firefighters responded with SJ Parks Department to assist
Firefighters cut in a fire line around the burn.
Fire burned underground for 3 days before surfacing
An area of approx. 30 ft by 80 ft burned.
San Juan & Orcas firefighters worked together
Fire was confined to small area of heavy brush
SJ Fire responded with the Fire boat “Confidence” & brought water
to the scene
Orcas Firefighters responded with SJ Parks Department to assist
Press Release - Brush Fire
19/09/08 17:10
Orcas Island
Fire Department responded to a wildland fire on Crow
Valley Road Tuesday, just after 10 am. Brush 21 and
Eastsound Engine 21 arrived to find flames moving
quickly up a hillside in heavy underbrush and timber.
Firefighters were able to knock the fire down before
it was able to spread towards homes and Turtleback
Mountain Preserve. The road was closed so that water
drop tanks could be set up near the base of the fire.
Engines and water tenders from Orcas, Westsound and
Rosario also responded to supply additional water,
tools and manpower. An aid unit was kept on scene for
several hours to insure all firefighters were given a
chance to rehab.
The rough terrain and heavy concentration of dry fuels created hazards for firefighters. The fire was contained late in the day and an excavator was brought in to help with mop up. The specialized brush mower cleared thick scotch broom and wild rose. It also removed dangerous burning snags, which endangered unburned areas due to sparks. The fire department stayed through the night to insure there was no additional flare-up.
At approximately 6 pm a second wildland fire was discovered off of Dolphin Bay Road. Lt. Jeff Jones spotted a large column of smoke and investigated to find an approximately 100 by 100 foot area of heavy timber fully involved. Firefighter’s quickly organized a team to move from the Crow Valley fire to Dolphin Bay Road. The fire was brought under control quickly but full containment took another 2 hours due to dangerous snags and several burning logs.
The fire department continued to check on both fires and extinguished several hot spot throughout the following day. Crow Valley Road was reopened at approximately 11 am the following day.
The Crow Valley fire was started by a mower but the cause of the second fire is undetermined.
Firefighters James Scheib, Chad Kimple and Carl Coburn fight heavy brush and steep ground to mop up the remains of the Crow Valley Wildland Fire.
Crow Valley Road was closed for the wildland fire to allow firefighters to set up several thousand gallons of water in drop tanks near the base of Turtleback Mountain.
Firefighter Toby Brown rehabs after time spent on the Crow Valley Fire. EMT Gulliver Rankin checks vitals while he rehydrated.
Photos by Tom Carter
The rough terrain and heavy concentration of dry fuels created hazards for firefighters. The fire was contained late in the day and an excavator was brought in to help with mop up. The specialized brush mower cleared thick scotch broom and wild rose. It also removed dangerous burning snags, which endangered unburned areas due to sparks. The fire department stayed through the night to insure there was no additional flare-up.
At approximately 6 pm a second wildland fire was discovered off of Dolphin Bay Road. Lt. Jeff Jones spotted a large column of smoke and investigated to find an approximately 100 by 100 foot area of heavy timber fully involved. Firefighter’s quickly organized a team to move from the Crow Valley fire to Dolphin Bay Road. The fire was brought under control quickly but full containment took another 2 hours due to dangerous snags and several burning logs.
The fire department continued to check on both fires and extinguished several hot spot throughout the following day. Crow Valley Road was reopened at approximately 11 am the following day.
The Crow Valley fire was started by a mower but the cause of the second fire is undetermined.
Firefighters James Scheib, Chad Kimple and Carl Coburn fight heavy brush and steep ground to mop up the remains of the Crow Valley Wildland Fire.
Crow Valley Road was closed for the wildland fire to allow firefighters to set up several thousand gallons of water in drop tanks near the base of Turtleback Mountain.
Firefighter Toby Brown rehabs after time spent on the Crow Valley Fire. EMT Gulliver Rankin checks vitals while he rehydrated.
Photos by Tom Carter
Wildland Fires in Eastern Washington
10/07/08 16:00
Orcas Island Fire Department has joined with San Juan
and several local fire districts to respond to fires
now burning out of control in eastern Washington.
Firefighters from all over the State are sending what
help they can to help in the effort. One fire, east
of Wenatchee, is now considered a threat to the
Bonneville Power lines. Firefighters Tad Lean and
David Howitt from San Juan Island plus Chad Kimple
and Perry Pruett are manning brush engines from both
islands. Noel Monin from San Juan Fire District 3 is
the Strike Team Leader.
Brush 21 with Northwest Strike Team at a fire last year on the Handford Reservation.
Brush 21 with Northwest Strike Team at a fire last year on the Handford Reservation.
Sedum Hill Fire
25/06/08 16:00
Orcas Island Fire Department responded to a reported
wildland fire threatening a home on Thursday, June
24th. Brush Engine 21, Engine 21 and Tender 26
responded to Sedum Hill Road around noon. Lt. Jeff
Jones arrived first on scene to report a growing
grass fire being battled by residents on scene.
Firefighters arrived and quickly got the fire under
control. It was determined a burn pile of scotch
broom got out of control, charring approximately 140
by 80 foot area near 2 residences.
“With the 4thof July celebrations and exceptionally thick grasses due to the long wet spring – we could be looking at serious fire danger, “ said Wildland Fire Division Captain Maxx Jones. A reminder that outdoor burning is closed July 1st.
Lt. Chad Kimple and Capt. Rick Anda contain a small wildland fire which threatened 2 structures in the Orcas area on Thursday.
Fire spread quickly from a burn pile in drying grass and light fuels.
Capt. Rick Anda mopped up the last hot spots using water rather than destroying the natural vegetation with traditional hand tool work.
“With the 4thof July celebrations and exceptionally thick grasses due to the long wet spring – we could be looking at serious fire danger, “ said Wildland Fire Division Captain Maxx Jones. A reminder that outdoor burning is closed July 1st.
Lt. Chad Kimple and Capt. Rick Anda contain a small wildland fire which threatened 2 structures in the Orcas area on Thursday.
Fire spread quickly from a burn pile in drying grass and light fuels.
Capt. Rick Anda mopped up the last hot spots using water rather than destroying the natural vegetation with traditional hand tool work.
Unusual Sight - winter wildland fire!
28/03/08 16:00
An unusual sight - a winter wildland fire!
Westsound Engine 22 was first on scene and had the fire knocked down within minutes.
Although under several inches of water in some places, the fire ran quickly across the dry swamp grasses.
079: Fire spread from a small debris fire.
Westsound Engine 22 was first on scene and had the fire knocked down within minutes.
Although under several inches of water in some places, the fire ran quickly across the dry swamp grasses.
079: Fire spread from a small debris fire.