Firefighters Respond to Person Trapped

Blake Ranch - 

On July 29th, 2015 at 11:58 AM, Pinion Pine firefighters were dispatched to the area of S Rease Rd cross of Hidden Valley Rd for a person trapped inside a trash truck. E523 arrived on scene roughly 20 minutes later to find a trash truck on the shoulder outside of a residence. Firefighters made contact with the patient who was laying down above the compactor unit of the trash truck with a dislocated right knee.

The patient stated the dumpster came off the lift into the compactor and was trying to correct the problem when he dislocated his knee and was unable to extricate himself from the compactor. It was immediately clear more man power would be needed so an additional unit was dispatched which brought the response of R525. Once AMR arrived on scene and provided the patient with much needed pain medication, the long task of getting the individual out of the truck began. Options were looked at and it was best determined to open the lift gate on the back of the vehicle and remove the patient on a back board over a fire ladder.

 

After roughly 15 minutes, the patient was safely on the ground at the rear of the vehicle where he was transported by ground to an area hospital with non life threatening injuries. The entire rescue took roughly 45 minutes to perform.

Photos by: Battalion Chief Danny Zandvliet, Pinion Pine Fire District
Story by: Captain Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Structure Fire

Blake Ranch -

On the November 26, 2014 around 4:30 pm, the Kingman alarm center received reports of a structure fire near the 2500 block of Rock Chuck Dr. This brought the response of an engine, a water tender and a Chief officer. While responding updates were received that multiple structures were on fire. Resources arrived on scene to find a mobile home type structure about 50% involved.

The scene as firefighters arrived

Crews pulled a CAFS attack line and made entry into the residence where a primary search was conducted on the unburned portion of the house and began fire suppression. Firefighters were able to stop the forward progress of the fire and overhaul began.

Captain Ron Hood / Firefighter Anthony Leach checking for extension

Firefighters Sean Osterman and Harry Doyle are seen overhauling

Much of the structure received smoke and fire damage but many items were able to be salvaged from bedrooms. The cause of the fire is under investigation and is believed to have started in a detached garage near the rear of the structure which spread into the home. Crews on were on scene for roughly 4 hours and no injuries were reported.

Story by Captain Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District
Photos by Captain Gail Jackson, Pinion Pine Fire District

Structure Fire

Blake Ranch -

On May 1, 2014 around 7:05 pm, E511, E513 and C501 were dispatched for smoke in the area between exit 59 and exit 66 on Interstate 40. At roughly mile marker 65, C501 advised he could see a fire which appeared to be a structure about 4 miles north of the Interstate and west of exit 66. Resources arrived on scene in the area of East Horseback Trail and Savvy Way to find two mobile homes fully involved as well as multiple vehicles and brush. Crews deployed a CAFS attack line and began containing the brushfire. Firefighters were unable to initially suppress the structures due to roughly 8 propane tanks in varying sizes venting as well as other explosions from an unknown source. Both engines began suppressing the fire and overhauling once it was safe to do so.

A homeowner was assessed and refused transport to the hospital by AMR for possible smoke inhalation on scene. The cause of the fire was due to the homeowner attempting to burn an unoccupied trailer on his property which quickly spread to his residence, also igniting 3 out buildings, 2 vehicles and a boat which were all complete losses. Crews were on scene for approximately 3 hours.

Story by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District
Photos by Captain Gail Jackson and Firefighter James Bevins, Pinion Pine Fire District

Another Evening Semi Fire for Pinion Pine Firefighters

Interstate 40 -

On the evening of August 26th, 2013 around 9:15 pm, firefighters received an alarm for a commercial vehicle on fire near mile post 68 on Interstate 40.  This brought the response of Engine 511 and Battalion 5. Battalion 5 arrived on scene to find the trailer portion of the semi on fire above the tandem axles approximately 50 percent involved and appeared to be hauling coconuts. E511 arrived and stretched a CAFS attack line and made a quick knockdown on the fire.

Firefighters James Bevins, Sean Osterman and Neal Raines cool the area the just exposed

Due to the load arrangement and extensive overhaul required, Rescue 525 was dispatched to support the operation. Once the rescue arrived, a K12 rescue saw was used to cut holes along side of the trailer to check for extension to the front of the trailer. Ultimately, ADOT used a front end loader to push the trailer over and the roof was removed. During overhaul, crews learned the product was not coconuts but cantaloupes.

Firefighter Sean Osterman prepares to cut observation holes along side the trailer

The cause of the fire was unknown but is believed to of started from a brake fire. Crews were on scene for roughly 3 hours, traffic was reduced to the high speed lane during the operation. Interstate 40 was briefly closed during the initial suppression efforts for firefighter and public safety.

View Pinion Pine Fire District - 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

Lt. Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Lightning Ignites Multiple Fires in Blake Ranch

Blake Ranch -

Around 1:30 pm on August 22nd, 2013, Pinion Pine fire units were dispatched to the area of Blake Ranch road and Prospect road for a reported brush fire which brought the response of 1 engine and 1 chief. C501 located the fire, a single tree burning off of Prospect road which had been struck by lightning. A second report of a fire was received by Kingman Alarm in the area of Silver Dollar and Line drive, roughly a mile away. B526 was diverted to this incident, locating the single burning tree south of Line drive which was also struck by lightning. Upon C501 completing the first fire, a third report came in of a fire near Line drive and Reese road. C501 arrived in the area to find yet another single tree that had been struck by lightning and was burning. A local homeowner nearby had seen the fire and began putting it out. All three fires were contained to a tenth of an acre and no structures were threatened and/or damaged.

 

 

Lt. Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Photo by Firefighter Neal Raines, Pinion Pine Fire District

Busy Afternoon for Pinion Pine Firefighters

Pinion Pine firefighters had a busy day June 29, 2013 beginning around 2 pm. At 1:57 pm, the first alarm in a series of 6 major incidents was received for a brush fire on Interstate 40 near mile marker 94 which brought the response of Brush 526 and Chief 501. While in route, Chief 501 spotted a second fire along Interstate 40 near the Willow Creek off ramp (Exit 87) and requested the response of Engine 523. Units arrived at both locations and suppressed the fires, holding them to a tenth of an acre.

Shortly after the units returned to quarters, at 5 pm, Chief 501 and Engine 523 were dispatched to the area of mile marker 71 on Interstate 40 for yet another brush fire. Crews were met by a homeowner who led them to the fire which was approximately 1 mile north of the Highway 93 junction. Crews arrived on scene to find a power pole that had been struck by lightning and sparked a quarter acre brush fire. Firefighters secured the scene and waited for the electric company to arrive and disconnect the power from the live pole.  Crews remained on scene for roughly one hour while mop up was completed. During this time, Engine 516 and Engine 526 received an alarm for a reported brush fire on Interstate 40 near D W Ranch Rd (exit 59) but were unable to locate a fire.

Crews wait for the arrival of the power company

While returning to quarters, Engine 523 received yet another alarm for a reported brush fire 4-5 miles south of Interstate 40 near mile marker 95. Once in the area, the crew noticed some smoke 10 miles south of the Interstate. Engine 523 made access at Jolly Rd (exit 102) and began working their way to the fire when further updates were received that a local rancher in the area was conducting a controlled burn. Engine 523 was canceled by State Fire and cleared the scene.

Once again, while Engine 523 was returning to quarters, E511, Chief 501 and Engine 523 received an alarm at 10 pm for a tractor trailer with smoke coming from the motor compartment and trailer brakes at the Loves Truck Stop near the fuel island. Chief 501 and Engine 511 arrived on scene to find that the vehicle had already been extinguished by store personnel. An attack line was pulled and the vehicle was further cooled off. Engine 511 crew used a thermal imaging camera to thoroughly check the vehicle for any additional heat. Units were on scene for 30 minutes and minimal damage was done to the tractor trailer.

Article and Photo By Lt. Ron Hood

Evening Tractor Trailer Fire

Blake Ranch -

On the evening of June 5, 2013 around 8:15 pm, E511 and C501 were dispatched to the Petro Truck Center for a tractor trailer on fire in front of the fuel island. E511 arrived on scene to find the tractor portion of the semi fully involved. Fire personnel deployed an 1 3/4 CAFS attack line and began suppression.

Crews made a quick knockdown and the fire was stopped before extension was made into the trailer. Fire crews were on scene for approximately 1.5 hours. The Petro Truck Center was initially evacuated but was later reopened to the public. During the incident, traffic on Nellie Dr. was not altered and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is unknown, although the driver stated he had a drop in oil pressure just before the vehicle ignited.

View Pinion Pine Fire District - 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

Photos by Captain Gail Jackson
Article by Lt. Ron Hood

Crews Respond to Vegetation Fire on Interstate 40

Interstate 40 -

At 1:30 on June 3, 2013, Pinion Pine firefighters received an alarm for a small brush fire on Interstate 40 near Blake Ranch Rd. Upon the arrival of E523 and C501, crews found a 1 acre fire in the median just east of Blake Ranch Rd in light grasses and brush being fueled by 15 MPH winds. Crews began cutting line and suppressing the fire when it jumped the westbound lanes of travel into the gore zone.

 

The fire shortly after it spotted across
westbound traffic into the gore zone



At this time B516 was dispatched and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol was notified for traffic control due to resources on both side of the Interstate and smoke blowing across the roadway. ADOT water tenders arrived on scene and also began suppressing the fire utilizing their spray bars and side discharges. E516 arrived and began cutting line around the northwest corner, preventing it from crossing the exit into an area with multiple structures.

 

 

Crews were on scene for approximately 4 hours and the westbound Blake Ranch Rd exit was closed for roughly 1 hour. The cause of the fire is unknown and no injuries were reported. A major factor in fire spread was due to high temperatures, high winds and low fuel moisture's in light flashy fuels and although resources were on scene in 10 minutes, this fire rapidly grew to 3.25 acres before forward progress was stopped.

Firefighters Mike Schmidt and Heath Markley successfully
 stop the forward progress of the fire



 

View Larger Map

 

Photos by Captain Gail Jackson

Article by Lt. Ron Hood

Vehicle Accident with Extrication

Interstate 40 -

On May 29, 2013 around 4:15 pm, Pinion Pine firefighters responded to Interstate 40 near the 67 mile marker westbound for a motor vehicle rollover with entrapment. E521 crew arrived on scene to find a pickup truck hauling a trailer that had left the roadway and rolled several times before resting upright on Nellie Drive, the frontage road that runs along the north side of Interstate 40 from the Blake Ranch Rd exit.

 



Both patients had to be extricated from the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle refused medical treatment. The front seat passenger stated they had hit their head and lost consciousness and complained of lower back pain. The patient was treated by fire and EMS personnel and transported by ground to an area hospital in stable condition. The cause of the accident is being investigated by the Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol. Crews were on scene for approximately one hour, and Interstate traffic was not interrupted from the incident.

 



View Pinion Pine Fire District - 2013 Incident Map in a larger map



Photo by Firefighter Stephan Little
Article by Lt. Ron Hood

Crews Make Quick Work of Semi Fire

Blake Ranch -

On May 23, 2013 at 8 pm, E511 and C501 received an alarm for a tractor trailer on fire at the Blue Beacon truck wash with explosions and structure threat. C501 arrived on scene to find a fully involved tractor trailer inside bay number two. E511 arrived and deployed an 1 3/4 CAFS attack line and quickly knocked the fire down. Paramedics on scene checked the driver for any injuries with none reported. Crews were on scene for approximately 2 hours while overhaul was completed. The tractor was a total loss but extension to the trailer was stopped.

 



The truck wash is closed until engineers inspect the building for any critical damage or failures in the ceiling. No injuries were reported during the fire. The cause of the fire is unknown and damage costs to the structure are under investigation.

 

Article by Lt. Ron Hood

Photos by Firefighter Neal Raines

Pinion Pine Firefighters Extinguish Motor Fire

Blake Ranch -

On May 16, 2013 around 5:30 PM, E511 and C501 were dispatched to the Petro Truck Center for a reported SUV on fire in the parking lot. C501 arrived on scene to find Petro employees had already knocked the fire down with extinguishers but the motor was still smoldering. Firefighters deployed a CAFS attack line and completely suppressed the fire. Upon investigation, it was determined a cut wire behind the motor was arching against the vehicle frame. Firefighters removed the battery cables and advised the owner of the wire failure.

Firefighters Heath Markley and Neal Raines pictured above shortly after the
fire was extinguished.

 

Shortly after units were placed back in service, E511 was dispatched back to the location for a possible rekindle. Upon arrival, firefighters found the SUV out of the parking space being towed by another vehicle. The owner stated he "placed the cables back on the battery to roll up the windows" which activated the fuel pump and power to the exposed wire which reignited the motor. Firefighters again suppressed the fire and cut the battery cables. Units were on scene for approximately one hour and no injuries were reported.

 

 

Article by Lt. Ron Hood

Photo by Capt. Gail Jackson

Trash Burning Causes Half Acre Brushfire

Blake Ranch -

On April 22, 2013 at 12:05 PM, E526 and C501 were dispatched to the area of Old Highway 93 and Rock Chuck Rd for a large brushfire after receiving multiple reports of smoke in the area . Units arrived on scene to find a quarter acre fire near a home that was sparked due to a homeowner burning trash during red flag conditions and left the fire unattended when it was "thought to be out". The main fire was quickly knocked down but multiple spot fires began popping up roughly 100+ ft from the main fire. Due to the nearly ten spot fires that were beginning to torch, E521 was requested for water and manpower. The fire was held at half an acre and crews remained on scene for approximately 2 hours while the fire was contained and mopped up. The homeowner was educated on burning during red flag conditions and although out of the fire district, was strongly urged to notify the fire district in the future for information on current fire weather conditions before burning. We would like to remind the public that when one decides to burn outside, you:

• Choose a cooler day with light to no winds
• Burn in a barrel with a screen over the top of it to minimize the chance of an ember escaping
• Always burn in a cleared area away from flammable items
• With an active water source nearby
• NEVER leave a fire unattended 

 



For those outside of the fire district, we urge you to contact the fire district at 928.757.1207 as a courtesy. We may be aware of fire weather conditions for the day(s) and may strongly recommend to wait until more suitable conditions exist.

For those within the fire district, a burn permit is required for any kind of open burning. One can be obtained by calling Station 51 at 928.757.1207 or stopping by Station 51 (2836 DW Ranch Rd) or Station 52 (6095 E. Firegrounds Rd) Monday through Sunday, 8am - 5pm.

 

Article By Lt. Ron Hood

Photos By Captain Gail Jackson