03/23/2011 – “A” Shift – Woods/Structure Fire

Incident # 11-01685 – Engine 19 was dispatched to a woods fire in the 800 block of Benjamin Drive at 14:02, Wednesday 23-March. While responding the incident was upgraded to a structure fire. Low humidity, dry conditions and 15 to 20 mile per winds created bad conditions for Firefighters. Engine 19 arrived to find heavy smoke conditions and a fast moving woods fire. After entering the property, a large garage/work shop was found to fully involved. The fire was discovered by a neighbor who saw the smoke. The fire appears to have originated from a yard debris fire that was thought to be extinguished from the previous the day. The fire had spread into planted pines on the property and was already crowning with flames visible 15 feet above the trees. Firefighters were confronted with the rapidly spreading woods fire which was endangering a home on the property and multiple exposures including a dozen vehicles. As one crew began working on the garage, other firefighters protected the home. The homeowner arrived and used a small tractor to plow a fire break through the yard to cut off the flames from reaching his home.

Additional crew members positioned on Benjamin Drive as they attempted to stop the fire at the road in zero visibility. However, the crowning fire easily overran their positions and jumped the two lane road, entering the woods and planted pines across the street.  Due to the high winds, hose streams had a limited effect. The Forestry Commission responded with three tractors and a brush unit. Fire-Rescue called in two brush units and brought ARFF 19 to the scene. With its deck gun and bumper turret, combined with the pump and roll capabilities, the vehicle was invaluable in quickly reaching several areas and obviously covered more ground than personnel with backpacks. The garage was a total lose, with the owner losing everything in the shop. This included thousands of tools and a great deal of equipment used in vehicle restoration. At least 20 acres was burned before the fire could be stopped. Two firefighters were treated at the scene for heat exhaustion, with one being transported by Medic 9 to Colleton Medical Center. He was later released. Fire units were on the scene for about four and a half hours.

Engine 19, Engine 26, Tender 1, Tender 9, Tender 27, Tender 32, Medic 6, Medic 9, Brush 6, Brush 24, ARFF 19, Battalion 1 and Car 111 responded. The Forestry Commission responded with 1 Brush truck and 3 Tractors. Asst. Chief David Greene served as Incident Commander.

Incident # 11-01687 - County Firefighters and the Forestry Commission also responded to a 19 acre woods fire on Wesley Chapel Ave near Tolle Farm Road that was received at 14:10. No buildings were endangered and most of the fire was confined to a Mead-Westvaco tree farm. Engine 9, Engine 11, Tender 903 and Car 110 responded.