18/April/2018 – Structure and Woods Fire – “A” Shift

Incident # 18-02747 – A Sheriff’s Deputy patrolling on Jefferies Highway (US Hwy 15) Wednesday afternoon 18-April, located a large woods fire in the 4200 block. At 16:51, Fire-Rescue was dispatched to the location. On arrival, Engine 19 found a fast moving woods fire behind several businesses and a storage building, a storage container and multiple vehicles on fire. A structural assignment was requested bringing three additional stations, as well as a tractor from the Forestry Commission. Firefighters deployed multiple handlines to protect the buildings and begin extinguishing the fire. Battalion 1 arrived and requested a second alarm, a second tractor from the Forestry Commission and a brush truck from Station # 9. Two Tenders were positioned on Scenic Lane to combat a burning storage container and to protect two mobiles homes and a work shop. The storage container was well involved and full to capacity. Crews used a K-12 saw to cut away portions of the metal to reach the burning materials, but ultimately firefighters had to remove the items to extinguish the fire.  The woods fire rapidly moved north into an area behind Glen’s Small Engine repair shop. The fire ignited multiple vehicles in the wooded area and several dozen old riding lawnmowers. Crews extended handlines approximately 600 feet into the woods from two Engines to reach the fires. Engine 27 laid a five inch supply line from a hydrant near Winchester Drive.  The line blocked both lanes of Jefferies Highway and required traffic to be rerouted for 1-1/2 hours. The fire burned up to the Flint Equipment property and a Forestry Tractor quickly cut the fire off within feet of several million dollars’ worth of heavy equipment, saving the machinery. Smoke on Jefferies Highway cut visibility nearly to zero early into the incident.

Firefighters worked for about 45 minutes to bring the fire under control. Only one vacant structure was lost and crews protected the remaining homes and businesses in the area. Seven acres was also burned. Fire units and four Forestry units were on the scene for nearly three hours. The fire started from an unattended yard debris fire off of Scenic Lane.

Engine 1, Engine 5, Engine 19, Engine 26, Engine 27, Tender 1, Tender 4, Tender 5, Tender 7, Tender 19, Tender 26, Tender 27, Brush 9, Medic 1, Medic 7, Medic 19, Medic 26, Battalion 1, Car 105, Car 107, Car 112, Car 116, Car 118 and Car 119 responded. Captain Stephen Bellew served as Incident Commander. 3 Forestry Tractors and a Forestry Brush Truck responded.

Photos by Harold Buzzell and Trae Wright