Vehicle Accident with Vegetation Fire

Interstate 40 -

On November 4, 2018 just after 1 PM, Pinion Pine firefighters received an alarm for a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 40, mile marker 68 westbound with a secondary vegetation fire which brought the response of Rescue Squad 51, Engine 521 and Chief 501.

SQ 51 was first to arrive with a vehicle on the shoulder, fully involved with a quarter acre vegetation fire. All occupants were out of the vehicle and uninjured. SQ 51 stopped forward progress of the vegetation fire before extinguishing the vehicle which was a complete loss. Per the accident party, the vehicle sustained a blowout which caused them to spin out and end up on the shoulder, shortly after, the vehicle/brush was ignited.

All occupants were uninjured and no firefighter injuries were reported. The number three lane was closed for roughly one hour while fire personnel worked but caused no traffic delays.

Story by Battalion Chief Ron Hood | Pinion Pine Fire District
Photo by Engineer Beau Jackson | Pinion Pine Fire District

Wrong Way Driver Causes Accident

Interstate 40 -

On Friday, November 2, 2018 at 7:50 PM, Rescue Squad 51 was dispatched to Interstate 40 at the 66 mile marker for a motor vehicle accident involving multiple vehicles including a commercial vehicle. SQ 51 arrived to find a three vehicle collision; a semi with light damage to the trailer, a minivan with light damage to the passenger side and a passenger car with heavy damage to the passenger side. 

SQ 51 began to triage the scene, locating six patients for evaluation. After a quick evaluation of all the patients, a second ambulance was requested for a total of two patients for transport. Both patients were transported by ground to an area hospital with minor injuries.

The incident occurred after a commercial vehicle entered Interstate 40 west bound wrong way and attempted to turn around on the Interstate, causing two westbound vehicles to strike the tractor trailer. Interstate 40 westbound traffic was diverted to exit 66 (Blake Ranch Rd) while all travel lanes were closed during the incident.

Story by Battalion Chief Ron Hood | Pinion Pine Fire District

Photos by Firefighter David Menjivar | Pinion Pine Fire District

Commercial Vehicle Fire

Interstate 40 - 

On Saturday, October 27th at 6:45 pm, Pinion Pine firefighters were dispatched to a commercial vehicle fire on Interstate 40 at the 64 mile marker westbound which brought the response of Rescue Squad 51, Engine 511 and Engine 521.

Smoke showing

SQ 51 was the first arriving unit with a fully involved semi trailer and 1/4 vegetation fire. SQ 51 deployed an a wildland pre-connect and stopped the forward progress of the vegetation fire. E511 and E521 arrived on scene and deployed 1-3/4 CAFS pre-connects and obtained a quick knock down on the trailer, which was hauling plastic. Crew remained on scene and overhauled the trailer with the assistance of an ADOT front end loader.

No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported and one lane of travel was closed for roughly three hours while firefighters worked. The cause of the fire was undetermined.

Story By Battalion Chief Ron Hood | Pinion Pine Fire District

Photos by Pinion Pine Fire District