A communications outage left San Juan County Dispatch unable to hail Orcas Island Fire and Rescue personnel for several minutes during a double search and rescue effort on Mount Constitution Saturday night. The OIFR frequency went down following a power outage while rescue crews were on the mountainside attempting to locate a total of three […]
A new ambulance is on the frontlines of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue’s emergency response fleet. Originally slated to roll out early this year, getting the ambulance outfitted and ready for service was delayed due to COVID-19. After battling issues with aging vehicles, repeated mechanical failures and increasingly costly repairs, the agency was in desperate
Orcas Fire rolls out new ambulance, resumes in-person training Read More »
Orcas Fire responded Sunday to reports of a wildland fire that resulted from a residential burn pile spreading out of control after a fuel can that was being used to accelerate the fire ignited. The small wildland fire was extinguished quickly. The homeowner then received education against using accelerants and was further reminded that residential
Orcas Fire responds to wildland fire, reminder to public that burning is closed Read More »
An Orcas Island family is safe and their home mostly unscathed after their dishwasher caught fire Wednesday morning. The homeowner, who was sleeping in an adjacent room, was alerted to the fire when smoke detectors sounded throughout the home. With a quick call to 9-1-1, the homeowner then safely extinguished the fire. Orcas Island Firefighters
Smoke detector alerts sleeping homeowner to fire Read More »