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

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

Morning Vehicle Fire / Vegetation Fire

Highway 93 -

On March 15, 2017 at 9:47 am, Pinion Pine firefighters received an alarm for a passenger vehicle fire on State Route 93 at mile marker 92 southbound with extension into the vegetation. This brought the response of E513 and E521 from Fire Station 52 (fs52). Both units arrived on scene in 12 minutes to find a single passenger car fully involved with a tenth of an acre extension into the vegetation. Each engine deployed inch and half attack lines and began suppressing both fires, with containment in 9 minutes. No one was injured in the incident but the vehicle was a complete loss.



Story and Photo by Ron Hood | Battalion Chief

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

Mutual Aid Response to Brushfire in Seligman, Az

Seligman, Az -

On Saturday, June 14, 2014 around 6:20 AM, Engine 513 from Fire Station 52 and Brush 516 from Fire Station 51 were dispatched by the State of Arizona for initial attack on a brushfire 4 miles west of Seligman, Az. Crews arrived on scene in the Bridge Canyon area and observed moderate fire behavior in grass and Pinion-Juniper. E513 was assigned to the northeast portion of the fire to determine what the best course of action would be in regards to allowing the fire to burn to the road, to burn off the road or to directly attack the fire.

E513 Crew mopping up hotspots

E513 decided to cut line and directly attack the fire was the most suitable situation. E513 crew was then assisted by the Prescott IHC who had just arrived on scene and finished the line to a 2 track road to the west.

E513 supporting a progressive hose lay along the west and north sides of the fire

B516 was assigned to the southwest corner where they were tasked with protecting a structure. Roughly 2 hours later, crews began mopping up along the edges and E513 was repositioned to support a 1,000 ft hose lay along the west and north sides of the fire. Both crews worked side by side with other local, State and Federal resources and contained the fire to 17 acres.

Other resources on scene included:

Prescott IHC
Junipine Fire Dept
Seligman Fire Dept
Williamson Valley Fire Dept
BLM Weaver Mtn Helitack
Arizona State Forestry Overhead

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

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

Pinion Pine Sends Type 3 to Sedona

Sedona, Az -

On Wednesday, May 21, 2014, Engine 513 was requested by the State of Arizona to respond to the Slide Fire burning near Sedona, Az. The Slide Fire began on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 around 4 pm when a fire was sparked in Oak Creek Canyon, just north of the Slide Rock State Park which rapidly gained momentum and began burning up the canyon charring 400 acres by 10 pm.

At this time the fire is 400 acres, with 0% containment and being investigated.

Slide fire around 8:30 pm Tuesday night. Photo courtesy of Jon Pelletier/VVN

Story by Lieutenant Ron Hood / Pinion Pine Fire District

Improper Cigarette Disposal Ignites Second Structure Fire

Wikieup, Az  

On May 2, 2014 at 2:06 pm, E521 and C501 received an alarm for a structure fire in the 11000 block of south Highway 93. Units arrived on scene to find two mobile homes that had burnt to the ground and spread to the brush. Firefighters quickly extinguished the brush fire which was held to a tenth of an acre and began suppressing the mobile homes which were a complete loss. 

The structures were unoccupied and being demolished when the fire broke out which was caused by the improper disposal of a cigarette according to the demolition crew on scene. Firefighters spent 2 hours on scene overhauling the fire, no injuries were reported.

Article and Photo by Lieutenant Ron Hood, 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

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

RV Fire on Interstate 40

Interstate 40 - 

On April 8, 2014 around 12:04 pm, E511, E521 and C501 were dispatched to Interstate 40 at the 62 mile marker eastbound for a reported RV on fire. Units arrived in roughly 10 minutes to find an RV fulling involved with a quarter acre brush fire. Crews deployed an 1-1/2 CAFS attack line an began suppression. Crews had the fire out in 22 minutes and continued overhauling both the vehicle and the brush.

 

The cause of the fire is unknown but the occupants believe it started in the engine compartment. Eastbound traffic was initially stopped while firefighting operations took place and was quickly opened to 1 lane of travel. No injuries were reported.

Story by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District
Photos by Captain Gail Jackson, Firefighter Harry Doyle, Pinion Pine Fire District

Evening Vehicle Fire

Interstate 40 -

On February 18, 2014 at 10:32 pm, Firefighters received an alarm for a passenger vehicle on fire on Interstate 40 near the Fort Rock exit eastbound which brought the response of  Engine 521 from Fire Station 52 (fs52). While responding, updates were given that the fire had ignited the brush around the vehicle. Crews arrived to find a vehicle fully involved with roughly a quarter acre brush fire. An inch and one half attack line was used and both fires were suppressed in 6 minutes.

The vehicle and and contents were a complete loss

The owner stated they were driving and heard a loud pop, once the vehicle pulled over, the area under the motor compartment immediately burst into flames. An occupant of the vehicle complained of chest pain and difficulty breathing. Care was given until AMR arrived and transported the patient to an area hospital. Eastbound traffic was reduced to one lane for 30 minutes while crews worked.

Article by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District
Photo by Firefighter Mike Schmidt, Pinion Pine Fire District

Late Night Semi Fire

Interstate 40 -

On November 12, 2013, at 10:46 pm, Pinion Pine firefighters received an alarm for a tractor trailer on fire on Interstate 40 near mile marker 70 westbound with its cargo containing chicken. This brought the response of Engine 511 from Fire Station 51 and Chief 501. Chief 501 arrived on scene and reported the fire in the truck and becoming well established into the trailer, as well as a 1/10 of an acre brush fire. E511 arrived and deployed a CAFS attack line and began suppression. Firefighters were able to knockdown the fire after roughly 30 minutes and began overhauling. Units remained on scene for approximately 2 hours while overhaul was completed.

The cause of the fire is unknown but is believed to have started in the motor compartment. No injuries were reported from the incident and traffic was reduced to 2 lanes for the duration of the incident.

 

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

Story and Photos by Lieutenant 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

Evening Lightning Event Keeps Firefighters Busy

Residents in Kingman had an amazing light show last night, August 17th, 2013 when monsoon weather moved in around 3 pm and stuck around until midnight. Beau Jackson, a firefighter with the Pinion Pine Fire District took the opportunity to photograph some of the lightning which left area fire departments busy most of the evening and portions of the community without power for a while.

Pinion Pine firefighters responded to a brush fires about 40 miles east of Kingman yesterday around 3 pm which was started by lightning. 1 engine and 1 chief officer responded to the area of mile marker 88 on Interstate 40 and located a small fire roughly 1/4 mile south of the freeway. Crews were able to contain the fire to a tenth of an acre.

As the weather moved west, lightning traveled through the Pinion Pine Fire District into the City of Kingman causing power outages in Kingman and the Blake Ranch area. The cell continued to move west into Golden Valley where lightning started two brush fires and is believed to have started an outbuilding fire and is being investigated by the Golden Valley Fire District.

Lightning as it passed through the Pinion Pine Fire District

Lightning over the City of Kingman

Article by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Photos by Firefighter Beau Jackson, 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

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.

View Larger Map

Photos and 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