02-03-2012 – Two Alarm Woods-Debris-Structure Fire – “C” Shift

Incident # 12-00643 – At 12:15, Thursday 02-February, a wind driven grass fire quickly escalated into a two alarm fire that burned approximately 5 acres of woods, damaged several pieces of machinery, an office building and destroyed approximately 300 truck and large skidder tires. The fire originated when embers from an unattended burn barrel ignited surrounding grass. Eight to twelve mile per hour winds quickly spread the fire to a nearby office building igniting the wooden siding and into an area where the logging company stored tires, trailers, lumber, machinery and vehicle chassis. The wind also drove the fire into nearby woods. Engine 26, Medic 26 and Tender 26 arrived to find a large intense and rapidly spreading fire. The column of thick black smoke could be seen over ten miles away. A structural assignment and Forestry Tractor were requested. The occupants had already extinguished the fire on the office building siding with a garden hose prior to fire units arriving.

Engine 26 took up a position near the intense tire fire, using the deck gun in an attempt to control the flames. Firefighters deployed multiple hand lines from Engine 26. A water supply point was established on Bells Highway near Jones Swamp Road four miles from the scene using Engine 24. After arriving, Battalion 1 requested a second alarm for personnel, additional tenders and two brush trucks. A water shuttle operation was conducted for water supply using eight 3000 gallon Tenders. Approximately 35 minutes into the incident, ARFF 19 was assigned to the incident to use its master streams and foam capabilities on the tire fire. The ARFF’s pump and roll ability was also of benefit as it maneuvered around on the scene. The foam trailer from Station 27 was also brought to the incident to resupply the ARFF. The Forestry Commission assigned two tractors to the fire. The wind drove the flames through the wooded area, jumping the B&H Railroad tracks to the adjacent property. It took nearly two hours to bring the fire under control. Firefighters were on the scene for a little over four hours and returned the next morning after winds caused the fire to jump the fire lines cut the previous day.

Engine 19, Engine 24, Engine 26, Tender 1, Tender 4, Tender 5, Tender 17, Tender 18, Tender 19, Tender 26, Tender 27,  Brush 24, Brush 825, ARFF 19, Medic 1, Medic 19, Medic 26, Battalion 1, Car 110, Car 116 and Car 118 responded. Engine 6, Engine 8, Engine 9, Medic 6 and Medic 9 were relocated to back fill stations. Battalion Chief Dan Barb served as Incident Commander.