Multi-Agency Brushfire on Interstate 40

Kingman, Az - 

On Wednesday, June 11, 2014 around 4:15 pm, the Kingman Alarm Center began receiving reports of a brushfire on Interstate 40, near the Beale Street exit. Kingman Fire dispatched one structure engine, one brush engine and a BC from Fire Station 1.

The fire as seen from the Cerbat Cliffs Golf Course

Batt. 2 arrived and had heavy smoke showing and reported multiple starts along westbound Interstate 40 between Beale St and Stockton Hill Rd. The assignment was quickly upgraded, which brought the response of an additional two structure engines, one brush engine and two chief officers from Fire Stations 3 and 4. As the fire progressed to the west and northwest, homes along Anson Smith Rd became threatened and mutual aid engines were dispatched from Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District #1, Pinion Pine Fire District and the Bureau Of Land Management.

 

Firefighters began structure protection along Anson Smith Rd and crews deployed hose lines and cut line along Interstate 40 and White Cliffs Rd. At 5:23 pm, firefighters had contained the fire and began mopping up. The fire was walked by GPS and determined to be 20 acres. No structures were damaged by the fire and is being investigated by Kingman Fire Department.

Resources on scene included:

Kingman - E211, E231, E241, B216, B246, Batt. 2, C201, C202, C203 and FP4
Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District #1 - E311, WT338
Pinion Pine Fire District - E513
BLM - E3663, E3664 and C3101


Photos by Firefighter Mike Schmidt, Pinion Pine Fire District
Story by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Brush Fire Brings Multi-Agency Response

Kingman, Az -

On April 8, 2014 around 1 pm, Kingman Alarm Center began receiving 911 calls regarding a brush fire on North Bank St approximately 1 mile north of Jaggerson Ave. First arriving units from Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District #1 reported a fire roughly 4 acres spreading at a high rate of speed north through grass/brush mix. Crews began suppressing the fire on the northeast corner from Bank St. At around 1:35 pm, Command notified that progress was being made, the fire was now 8 acres and more type 6 engines were needed. Kingman B246, C201, FP3 and FP4, Golden Valley A135, BLM E3663 and Pinion Pine E513 and B516 were dispatched to the fire.

Fire crews were able to stop the fire on a 2 track road to the north and wrap the east side of the fire containing it. Firefighters spent the next 3 hours mopping up the fire that totaled 73 acres. The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation. No injuries were reported during the incident.

Resources included:
NACFD - C301, FP303, Batt. 3, E311, E312, E321, E331 and A315
Kingman - C201, FP3, FP4, B246
Golden Valley - A135
Pinion Pine - E513 and B516
BLM - E3663

Story by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District
Photo by Firefighter James Bevins, Pinion Pine Fire District

Vehicle Fire Brings Multi-Agency Response

Interstate 40 -

On June 6, 2013 at 2:01 pm,  Pinion Pine firefighters were dispatched to Interstate 40 westbound at the 62 mile marker for multiple reports of a vehicle on fire. Initial reports came in to alarm of a vehicle smoking near mile marker 55 which brought the response of Kingman E221 and Batt. 2. As more reports came in, the incident was upgraded to mile marker 62 with the vehicle fully involved, E221 canceled while Batt. 2 continued. The updated information brought the response of Pinion Pine E511, E523 and C501. First units on scene found a fully involved passenger car on the shoulder that had sparked a vegetation fire in grass and brush with a rapid rate of spread which prompted the response of Kingman B246 and Pinion Pine E521 and B526R.

 

Fire crews were able to stop the forward progress of the brush fire near a culvert holding the fire at 1 acre . E511 deployed an 1 1/2 CAFS attack line and began suppressing the vehicle fire. Unfortunatly, the vehicle was a total loss. Crews remained on scene for approximately 2 hours while mop up operations were completed. Traffic was reduced to the fast lane of westbound traffic for roughly an hour and a half while fire crews actively worked on the shoulder. No injuries were reported and the cause of the vehicle fire was undetermined.

Firefighters Heath Markley, Mike Schmidt and
 Neal Raines mopping up a 30x30 spot fire.

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Photos and Article by Lt. Ron Hood

Vegetation Fire Brings Multi-Agency Response

Lazy Y U -

On May 25, 2013 around 3:15 pm, Kingman Alarm received reports of a brushfire near milepost 4 on Hualapai Mountain rd near the camping area. This brought the response of:

• Kingman E241, B246 and Batt. 2
• Pinion Pine E523, B516 and C501
• BLM E3330

Units arrived in the area with a half acre brush fire in a drainage north of Hualapai Mountain rd near a recreation area. Resources began suppressing the fire and were able to contain it quickly. Command was passed over to BLM and fire department resources cleared the scene. Last year, this same area fueled a 6 acre brushfire that was started from individuals discharging fire arms. This fire was also started this way. The area is a popular target practice area just east of the city limits and also a popular camping area which makes it ideal. The downfall is this area is also very dry with light flashy fuels which means fire starts easy and spreads rapidly.

Firefighters from E523 and B516 gather after completing mop up.

Although there are currently no restrictions on BLM lands regarding discharging fire arms, we encourage the community to wait until reasonable conditions exist. The Hualapai Mountains are a critical fire zone for the 2013 season and hot, dry, windy days like this day are all it takes to fuel an aggressive brush fire.

 

Photo and Article by Lt. Ron Hood

Brush Fire Brings Mutual Aid Response

Slaughterhouse Incident:

On May 13, 2012 at around 2 PM, Kingman Fire was dispatched to the area of Hualapai Mtn Rd/Mission Rd for a reported brush fire to the south. First units arrived on scene and found a 2-3 acre wind driven brush fire moving through grasses and brush. Minutes later additional Kingman engines were requested to respond to the incident and reports of homes threatened began to come in. At around 3:30 PM, the Slaughterhouse IC requested an additional type IV from Pinion Pine (E516), Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District #1 (B336) and Golden Valley (A125) and later ordered a single engine air tanker from Prescott, Az. All units arrived on scene within 15 minutes and were placed in various places on the incident to watch firelines and structure protection. E516 was placed on the north side of the incident to watch the fire moving through a drainage and protect a house, had the fire gotten to it. E516 remained on scene for 2 hours and was released from the incident. Blm later took over the fire and its final acreage was 89 acres with no structures damaged. The cause of the fire is still undetermined and is a healthy reminder to always be careful especially during times of high temperatures, low relative humidy and high winds. Fire season has began throughout the state with 4 active large fires, accompanied by red flag warnings.

Photo taken by Herberta Schroeder

Photo taken by Herberta Schroeder

Firearms Spark 4.5 Acre Brushfire

On May 6, 2012 at 11:55 AM, an alarm was recieved for a brushfire 1/2 a mile north of milepost 4 on Hualapai Mtn Rd. E516 and C501 arrived on scene to find a 3.5 acre brush fire with a slow rate of spread and occasional single tree torching. Crews began cutting line and additional resources were requested. Kingman Fire Battalion 2, B246 and BLM  E3664 and E3665 were dispatched. At 3:31 PM the fire was transferred to BLM and all other units cleared the scene. The fire was held to 4.3 acres.



Single trees torching as the fire moves up the drainage

 

Bystanders on scene reported they were shooting firearms when one round sparked the fire, they tried to extinguish the fire with their water cooler but were unable to put it out. A 10-15 mph wind assisted in the growth of the fire in an area with scattered grass and brush. This incident is a reminder that the fuels in our area are dry and fire rapidly develops. Caution should be used when using firearms in an area that has fuels nearby, even bullets can start brushfire that can easily get out of control on windy days.

Chief Jackson and Firefighter Chris Braudaway cutting fireline