Firefighters Return From the Topock Fire

Topock, Az - 

On April 6th, 2016, multiple local, state and federal resources were dispatched to the Topock Fire, burning on the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge in mostly riparian fuels including salt cedar south of Topock, Az. The fire which started around 4 AM, quickly grew to 25 acres pushing the fire south from the New South Dike rd and jumped the Colorado River. Orders began to come in around 10 AM as the fire was threatening both Pirates Cove and the Topock Marina. E511 (PNP), A125 (GOV), E1102 (BUK), E3661 (CRD), E2 (GOL), B84 (MOV), Batt. 9 (FMM) and miscellaneous overhead were the first arriving units to a rapidly expanding fire.

Fire activity upon E511's arrival

 
E511, E1102 and E2 were assigned to structure protection at the Topock Marina under Battalion 9 where firefighters triaged the marina and adjacent mobile home park. Multiple helicopters and fire boats began suppressing the fire while engines held the South Dike Rd, working into the evening.

Wind shift begins on division Alpha as seen from the Topock Marina

Fire intensity begins to pick up as wind and fuels allign

Around 9:30 PM, hand crews and engines began a firing operation when am unexpected wind shift occurred, aligning with fuels and the fire made a push towards the Topock Marina. E511 was placed placed at the marina and firefighters deployed a hose lay around the marina while E1102 began prepping the mobile home park and securing the utilities. Firefighters began a firing operation from a fire boat on the north side of the marina which was successful. E511 continued to work on the fire for the next 2 days, assisting hand crews with mopping up the fire perimeter along the New South Dike rd. On April 8th, the fire received much needed rain fall and E511 was released from the incident later that evening. The fire acreage recorded was 2,200 acres.

The fire making a push towards the marina

Firing operation on the north side of the marina to remove the fuels in front of the fire front

Story and Photos by Fire Captain Ron Hood

Semi Fire Causes Delays on Intertstate 40

Interstate 40 -

On May 20, 2015, around 8:48 AM, Pinion Pine firefighters were dispatched to mile marker 61 eastbound on Interstate 40 for a reported semi fire. This brought the response of one Engine and a Chief Officer. While in route, a large column was visible from Fire Station 52, at this time Battalion 5 requested a water tender from Kingman Fire Department. Once on scene, Battalion 5 advised of a semi on the shoulder roughly 50% involved with extension into the brush. A second Engine from Pinion Pine was dispatched while crews began fire operations as well as an engine from Kingman BLM. The fire was knocked down and a loader from the Arizona Department of Transportation overturned the vehicle to gain better access to the load on fire.

Truck load was strawberries

Crews remained on scene for roughly 2 hours to overhaul the fire, a Pinion Pine Rescue unit was dispatched for rehab and air support. During the incident, Interstate 40 was closed for roughly 45 minutes and reduced to the high speed lane for 3 hours once it was re-opened. The incident caused quiet the back up, extending over ten miles into the City of Kingman. The cause of the fire was undetermined, although the driver stated his refrigeration unit on the front of his trailer blew up and fire was everywhere. No injuries were reported during the incident.

 

This fire represents how invaluable our mutual aid agreements are with the City of Kingman as well as the other neighboring fire jurisdictions and we would like to acknowledge them for their assistance. These agreements allow us to maximize our manpower and provide for better public and firefighter safety when needed without taxing one organizations resources to its limits.

Agencies assisting on this incident included WT218 (Kingman), Battalion 2 (Kingman) and E3663 (Kingman BLM). Pinion Pine units included, E523, E521, R525 and Battalion 5. ADOT and DPS provided traffic control.

Article by Captain Ron Hood
Photos by Firefighter Sean Osterman

Mutliple Agencies Assist in Brushfire

Willow Creek - 

On April 12, 2015 around 12:30 pm, Pinion Pine firefighters were dispatched to a smoke check in the area of Willow Creek off of exit 87 on Interstate 40. Additional information was obtained that the reported fire was roughly 8 miles north of the Interstate near the power lines. E513 arrived in the area confirmed smoke in the area. Once the crew arrived on scene they found what appeared to be two separate fires, roughly half a mile apart. Due to access issues, the limited resources on scene and the extreme potential, E513 requested an additional three type 6 engines, one helicopter and and ICT4.

That order was filled as

• E3664 from Kingman BLM (T6)
• A135 from Golden Valley (T6)
• B526R from Pinion Pine (T6)
• Division 803 from Mohave Valley (ICT4)
• DPS Kingman Ranger (T3 helicopter)
• Flagstaff 2-4 (AZSF AFMO)

BLM E3664 initially took over IC of the fire until Division 803 arrived on scene and had Ranger fly the fires to determine the number, size and rate of spread of the fires. Ranger reported 2 fires, both roughly 5 acres, with slow rate of spread burning in grass, brush and pinyon-juniper. Once Division 803 arrived, an order was made for a hand crew which was filled by Winslow 1.

Crews remained on scene for the next 2 days, assisting hand crews with mopping up and containment of both fires and monitored them during incoming red flag conditions. The two fires were mapped and recorded as 2.1 acres and 2.6 acres. Both fires were 100% contained by 4/15/2015. A fire investigator was dispatched to the scene and was unable to determine the cause of the fire.

Article and Photos by Captain Ron Hood

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 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

BLM Prescribed Burn Info

Monday, October 31, 2011 - The Bureau of Land Management will be conducting a prescribed burn 15 miles NW of Wikieup, Az in the Haulapai Mountains. The goal is to burn 3,500 acres throughout the next few days in an effort to minimize the potential for a large uncontrollable fire during times of unfavorable conditions. Smoke may be visible from the Kingman area and many motorist traveling on Highway 93 south may also see it. There may be smoke impacts through the Highway 93 area in the evenings and early morning but should ventilate around 10 AM, should this occur. In the event that smoke does impact motorist on the roadways, remember to reduce your speed and travel with your headlights on.