Engine 523 Returns Home From the Rough Fire

Sequoia/Kings Canyon Nat'l Park -

On Saturday September 26, 2015, E523 returned home from the Rough Fire. E523 was one of five type III wildland/interface engines in Arizona Strike Team 257C requested on September 10 to the rough fire which was burning on the Sierra Nat'l Forest, Sequoia Nat'l Forest and Sequoia/Kings Canyon Nat'l Park.

When Strike Team 257C arrived, the fire had already been burning for 41 days and had consumed 110,000 acres of forest. Strike Team 257C was quickly put to work near Sequoia Lake, plumbing nearly a half mile of hose on an existing half mile hose-lay and mopping up the fires edge. By day 3, the Strike Team was moved into the park and began assessing and mopping up around the Chicago Stump and throughout Converse Basin. The Chicago Stump is believed to be the largest Giant Sequoia ever to be cut.

Arizona Strike Team 257C checking the wrap on the Chicago Stump and testing the fire sprinklers

By day 7, Strike Team 257C was moved to Grant Grove and was tasked with patrolling and mopping up 5 miles of hose-lay, 200-1000 ft in from the line and would stay there for the remainder of their 14 day tour. The Grant Tree is the second largest tree in the world, standing 267 ft tall, a base diameter of 30 ft and is known as the "Nations Christmas Tree". The General Grant Tree is just under 1,800 years old.

E523 next to the General Grant Tree

By Day 14, The fire had grown to 144,000 acres and was 80 percent contained. On our departing day, the park was opened to the public for Kings Canyon Nat'l Parks 75th anniversary and Sequoia Nat'l Parks 125th anniversary.

Other agencies in Arizona Strike Team 257C included

• Flagstaff Fire Department
• Golden Valley Fire District
• Pinetop Fire Department
• Ponderosa Fire District
• Summit Fire Department (Strike Team Leader)

Photos and Article by Captain Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Type 3 Engine Sent to the San Juan Fire

Vernon, Az - 

On Friday, June 27, 2014 around 2:15 pm, a call was received into the Mohave County Wildland Working Group for a type 3 engine to respond to the San Juan Fire located southeast of Vernon, Az.  Pinion Pine filled the order, dispatching E513 to the incident that began yesterday around 11:45 in the morning. The San Juan Fire which is burning in mixed conifer and pine fuels quickly grew in size due to red flag conditions over the area.

Courtesy ABC15

The fire area saw 35 mile per hour winds and low relative humidity which quickly increased fire intensity and acreage. Quarter mile spot fires ahead of the fire and tree crowning were observed throughout the afternoon and prompting evacuations in the area. The latest information puts the fire at 5,000 acres and is under red flag conditions today as well. This area is no stranger to fires either, in 2002, the Rodeo-Chediski Fire burned 468,638 acres and in 2011, the Wallow Fire burned 538,000 acres, the largest fire in state history.

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

Pinion Pine Sends Type 3 Engine to California

Mammoth Lakes, Ca -

On August 20th, 2013, the Pinion Pine Fire District received a request through the State of Arizona for a type 3 engine to respond to California for "August Preposition". E523 filled the order and left for Mammoth Lakes, Ca where they were placed on the Inyo National Forest for severity/initial attack. Their job is to patrol an assigned area and be on the ready to respond locally to any new start that may occur.

On August 22nd, 2013, while patrolling on Owens River road, the crew of E523 spotted a fire near the top of a mountain roughly 1.5 miles off the road. The crew packed up and began hiking to the fire that was started by lightning along with the local Inyo National Forest engine and two engines from Minnesota. Once on scene, a line was cut around the fire and mopped up, containing it to 1/4 of an acre. The crew will continue to patrol until a new assignment is given.

View Larger Map  

 

 

Lt. Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District